Finnish power utility Fortum has initiated an Environmental Impact Assessment procedure (EIA procedure) for the Loviisa nuclear power plant.
The process will assess the environmental impacts of a potential extension of the operation of the Loviisa plant or, alternatively, the decommissioning of the power plant, as well as the environmental impacts of the final disposal facility for low- and intermediate-level waste.
“Loviisa power plant’s current operating licences are valid until the end of 2027 and 2030. In this procedure, we will assess the impacts of both the extension of the commercial operation and the decommissioning of the power plant on the environment, public health and safety, and on the surrounding community and the economy,” said Loviisa deputy director Thomas Buddas.
“In terms of technology, the Loviisa power plant is in good shape and meets the current safety requirements. The environmental impact assessment that will now be conducted will help us to collect data for a possible new operating licence application,” he continued.
The EIA procedure has two phases and will take about 18 months. The first phase contains the Fortum plan on the environmental impact assessment and on the arrangement of communications and participation. Based on the EIA programme and the statements and opinions about it, an environmental impact assessment will be carried out, the results of which will be presented in the Environmental Impacts Assessment report.
The coordinating authority in the EIA procedure is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the international hearing.
Loviisa 1&2 are VVER-440 pressurised water reactors. Loviisa 1 began commercial operation in 1977 and is currently licensed to operate until the end of 2027. Loviisa 2, which entered commercial operation in 1981, is licensed until the end of 2030.
Photo: Loviisa nuclear power plant (Photo: Fortum)
