FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 11.9.2024
Fortum’s Loviisa power plant is upgrading the automation of the turbine protection and control systems of both power plant units. The upgrade is part of the lifetime extension-related investments consisting of continuous improvements to ensure reliable electricity production until the end of the plant's lifetime.
”The existing turbine protection and control systems are reaching the end of their technical service life, and the availability of spare parts is diminishing. The aim of the automation upgrade project is to ensure the functionality of the systems throughout the Loviisa power plant’s operating life,” says Sasu Valkamo, Senior Vice President of the Loviisa power plant.
Fortum has signed an agreement with Valmet to upgrade the turbine automation. Valmet will supply the turbine protection and control systems for both Loviisa power plant units as well as for training and development simulators.
”Valmet is a technologically advanced Finnish company with which Fortum has had good collaboration on a number of projects. For example, Valmet is supplying us with the I/O hardware and software for the training simulator to be replaced,” Valkamo notes.
"This is a big step for Valmet to supply the automation upgrades for the steam turbines and the training simulator of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. Valmet's technical and cost-effective solutions and a high degree of domesticity were our strengths in getting the order. In addition, three of Valmet’s service centers are less than an hour's drive from Loviisa," says Sales Manager Tom Bäckman from Valmet's Automation Systems business line.
In February 2023, the Finnish Government granted a new operating license for the Loviisa nuclear power plant until the end of 2050. As a result, Loviisa will provide Finnish society with a stable, CO2-free and secure supply of electricity far into the future.
It is estimated that the investments related to the lifetime extension will amount to approximately one billion euros by 2050. Over the past five years, Fortum has already invested approximately 200 million euros in refurbishing the Loviisa power plant.
Fortum Corporation
Communications
Further information:
Fortum News Desk, newsdesk [at] fortum [dot] com, tel. +358 40 198 2843
Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant
In 2023, the load factor at Fortum’s fully-owned Loviisa nuclear power plant was 91.06%. The continuous development and modernisation of the power plant enable load factors that are among the best for pressurised water reactors on an international scale. In 2023, the power plant produced a total of 8.09 terawatt hours (net) of electricity, which is more than 10% of Finland’s electricity production. Fortum employs about 700 nuclear sector professionals, 550 of them work at the Loviisa power plant. Additionally, nearly 100 permanent employees of other companies work in the power plant area every day. www.fortum.com/loviisa
Fortum
Fortum is a Nordic energy company. Our purpose is to power a world where people, businesses and nature thrive together. We are one of the cleanest energy producers in Europe and our actions are guided by our ambitious environmental targets. We generate and deliver clean energy reliably and help industries to decarbonise their processes and grow. Our core operations in the Nordics comprise of efficient, CO2-free power generation as well as reliable supply of electricity and district heat to private and business customers. For our ~5 000 employees, we commit to be a safe, and inspiring workplace. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.fortum.com
Valmet
Valmet has a global customer base across various process industries. We are a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and with our automation and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our more than 19,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day. The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. Valmet’s net sales in 2023 were approximately EUR 5.5 billion. Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.