Amid energy security concerns, Russia’s neighbour Finland has extended the life of its oldest nuclear plant.
The Loviisa nuclear power plant, operated by Fortum, produced 7.9 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, supplying about 10% of Finland’s electricity—enough to power the Helsinki metropolitan area.
The plant first constructed in 1971, has been producing power for 48 years and is now going to be upgraded to keep going until 2050.
Over December key upgrades were successfully implemented, including the introduction of Westinghouse nuclear fuel to diversify the plant’s fuel supply and ensure operational reliability.
Preparations for the plant’s lifetime extension to 2050 are ongoing, backed by a €1 billion investment programme.
This new licence will enable Loviisa to produce up to 177 TWh of CO2-free electricity during its extended operational period.