Finland’s Fennovoima said on 27 March that it is changing its organisational structure and will establish a new Utility Operations organisation unit.

The goal of the change is to clarify responsibilities and improve collaboration with plant supplier, Raos Project (a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom) in the next phases of the project to build the Hanhikivi-1 NPP in Pyhäjoki.

The purpose of the development programme Fennovoima launched in late 2018 is to ensure the progress of the Hanhikivi 1 project in accordance with the new timetable estimate. Fennovoima announced in December that construction would be delayed by four years and operation of the reactor is now slated to begin in 2028. The development programme’s main goals are a safe plant and high-level safety planning, construction readiness and integrity of the technical design, high-quality implementation and supply chain performance, operational readiness and strong safety culture.

As part of the development programme, Fennovoima is establishing the new Utility Operations organisation unit, effective 1 April 2019. Timo Okkonen formerly Chief Development Officer at Fennovoima will head the unit while continuing as a member of the management team. Utility Operations will be responsible for assessing plant delivery safety, planning, implementation, and operational readiness.

“Our development programme is not just internal to Fennovoima but applies to the entire Hanhikivi 1 project. We have discussed with the plant supplier about the changes expected on both Fennovoima’s and Raos’s side”, Fennovoima’s President and CEO Toni Hemminki said. “Both parties see that the changes should bring a positive message to the joint project.”