Several key projects to begin during annual outages this year
Loviisa nuclear power station in Finland will need €1bn ($1.16bn) to carry out an investment programme designed to modernise its operations, with several initiatives due to start in 2026.
In an announcement, the nuclear power station said that with an operating licence until 2050 an investment of that level was needed to ensure it could continue to produce safe and reliable electricity.
Sasu Valkamo, senior vice-president of the two-unit Loviisa station, owned and operated by Nordic power company Fortum, said that several projects would begin in during the plants’ annual outages this year.
These works include modernisation of low-pressure turbines, renewal of turbine automation, and the replacement of the main seawater pumps and motors, ensuring that the faciility meets its goal of operating until 2050.
During 2025, Loviisa-1 produced 4.0 TWh of electricity, operating with an availability level of 89.9%, while Loviisa-2 produced 3.9 TWh with an availability of 88.8%. Together, they produced around 10% of Finland’s electricity requirements.
“Production and availability were at a good level, although we fell slightly short of our target. Extended annual outages and a few unplanned power reductions during the year lowered our output,” said Valkamo.
Loviisa-1 saw its power reduced during July and August last year due to high seawater temperatures. The plant also saw three short duration power reductions caused by technical faults during the year.
Loviisa-1 and -2 are both 507-MW Russia-designed VVER pressurised water reactor units. Loviisa-1 began commercial operation in 1977 and Loviisa-2 in 1981.
