Regular electricity production at unit 3 at Finland’s Olkiluoto NPP (OL3) will now start in September instead of the end of July previously announced, plant owner-operator Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) said.
“Inspection and repair needs have been identified in the OL3 generator cooling system, which will last for about three weeks,” TVO said. “The plant unit's test operation programme and electricity production will continue after the repairs. In addition, additional time has been set aside for future testing of the facility and their analysis based on the experience of the previous pilot phase.”
TVO added that the inspection of the generator cooling system and its possible repair needs are not related to the unexpected start-up of the boron pumps announced earlier and the related automation modifications. When OL3 was shut down on 26 April as part of a test programme, the boron pumps started unexpectedly. TVO subsequently said the boron pumps (safety system) had started unexpectedly “due to an incorrectly triggered signal from the automation system” and the fault had been rectified.
The OL3 EPR plant supplier consortium constructed the unit under a fixed-price turnkey contract. “The consortium of plant suppliers includes AREVA GmbH, AREVA NP SAS and Siemens AG, which are jointly and severally liable for the obligations under the plant supply contract until the end of the plant unit's warranty period,” TVO noted.
Photo: The Olkiluoto 3 EPR is expected to begin regular electricity generation in September (Credit: TVO)
