18 Mar (NucNet): Plans to increase the output of the Oskarshamn-2 boiling water reactor (BWR) in Sweden have been delayed while operator OKG continues work on a comprehensive modernisation programme at the plant, a statement said.
OKG said completion of the modernisation work will mean that the facility meets current safety requirements through an increase in auxiliary power capacity and the refurbishment of the control room, which is getting a new operator interface. The low-pressure turbine is also being replaced.
The restart date for Oskarshamn-2 has been postponed a number of times because of “greater complexity than expected in some sub-areas of the modernisation programme”, OKG said.
OKG chief executive officer John Robbins said the delays have reduced the preparation time for the planned thermal power uprate, making it necessary to postpone it.
The Oskarshamn-2 modernisation project began in 2004 and is intended to allow the reactor to operate for at least another 20 years.
The project is one of the most challenging retrofitting projects ever carried out in a nuclear power plant, OKG said.
In April 2010, the Swedish government approved OKG’s plans to increase the electrical generating capacity of Oskarshamn-2 by 26 percent.
The thermal power output of the reactor will be increased from 1,800 megawatts to 2,300 MW. The electrical output of the plant will increase from 638 MW net to 805 MW net.
Oskarshamn-2 began commercial operation in 1975. There are two other BWRs at Oskarshamn. Oskarsman-1 began commercial operation in 1972 and Oskarshamn-3 in 1985.
In September 2011, Oskarshamn-3 reached its new maximum thermal capacity and began operating at 1,400 MW, net making it the largest-capacity BWR in the world.
In September 2013, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) asked OKG to submit a plan for correcting deficiencies in its programme for managing the aging and degradation of structures, systems and components that are important for safety at the facility.
