Fortum Modernises Loviisa Power Plant Turbines to Increase Output and Support Safe Long-Term Operation

Preparations for the turbine modernisation include rotor cleaning and inspection work.

(IN BRIEF) A major turbine island modernisation project is underway at the Loviisa nuclear power plant in Finland as part of Fortum’s lifetime extension investment programme. The project will be implemented during annual outages between 2026 and 2028 and is designed to support stable and safe electricity production at Loviisa until 2050. The modernisation is expected to increase the plant’s electrical output by approximately 38 MW by 2028 and raise lifetime electricity generation by around 7 TWh. The programme consists of three main projects: low-pressure turbine modernisation by Doosan Škoda Power, turbine automation renewal by Valmet, and replacement of main seawater pumps by Andritz.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 11-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Fortum has launched a major turbine island modernisation project at the Loviisa nuclear power plant as part of the plant’s lifetime extension investment programme.

The project will be implemented in phases during annual outages between 2026 and 2028 and is designed to support stable and safe electricity production at Loviisa until 2050.

Preparations for the turbine modernisation include rotor cleaning and inspection work.

The upgrade will strengthen the long-term availability and production capacity of the power plant. Some existing turbine-related components are approaching the end of their technical life cycle, making maintenance and spare-part availability increasingly challenging in the coming years.

At the same time, changes in the operating environment and geopolitical developments have increased uncertainty regarding support and spare-part availability from certain original equipment and system suppliers.

The modernisation will ensure that Loviisa can safely and reliably use modern technologies with long-term support throughout the remainder of its operating life.

The upgrades will also increase the production of stable, fossil-free electricity at the plant. By 2028, the turbine island modernisation is expected to raise Loviisa’s electrical output by approximately 38 megawatts.

As a result of the investment, the plant’s lifetime electricity generation is expected to increase by around 7 terawatt-hours. During its current operating licence period, the Loviisa power plant is expected to generate up to 177 terawatt-hours of stable electricity.

The turbine island upgrade is one of the most significant modernisation projects carried out at Loviisa. Its successful implementation requires strong nuclear expertise, long-term planning and close cooperation between specialists from multiple disciplines.

The project is being led by Fortum’s own experts in cooperation with selected partners.

Fortum’s nearly 50 years of experience in the long-term maintenance and development of nuclear power plants supports the safe and efficient delivery of large-scale upgrade projects.

The modernisation work will be integrated into annual outages, helping to minimise impacts on production while ensuring efficient use of resources.

The turbine modernisation programme consists of three main projects.

The largest individual project is the modernisation of the low-pressure turbines. This includes replacing the casings and internal components of all eight low-pressure turbines at the Loviisa power plant.

The upgrade is intended to significantly improve turbine efficiency, enabling increased electricity generation without increasing the reactor’s thermal power.

The modernisation is limited to the turbine island and will have no impact on reactor operations or nuclear safety.

The low-pressure turbine modernisation will be delivered by Czech company Doosan Škoda Power.

The second project covers the renewal of turbine automation systems. This includes turbine protection and control systems for both plant units, as well as related actuators.

Turbine automation plays a key role in the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the turbine plant by controlling and monitoring turbine performance under all operating conditions.

The upgrade will bring the systems in line with current technical requirements and improve reliability, maintainability and spare-part availability.

In addition to turbine automation, generator auxiliary systems will be modernised, improving real-time monitoring and control capabilities from the main control room.

The turbine automation systems will be supplied by Finnish technology company Valmet.

The third project involves replacing the main seawater pumps, which are essential to the turbine plant’s cooling process.

The main seawater pumps circulate seawater to the condensers, where steam leaving the turbines is cooled back into water and returned to the power plant process.

Each plant unit has four main seawater pumps. The existing pumps and motors are approaching the end of their technical life cycle and will therefore be replaced.

The supplier for the main seawater pump replacement project is Austrian company Andritz.

Investments related to extending the operating lifetime of the Loviisa power plant are expected to total approximately EUR 1 billion by 2050.

Last year, Fortum invested around EUR 70 million in upgrades and maintenance at the Loviisa power plant.

Through the turbine island modernisation, Fortum is strengthening the reliability, efficiency and long-term operating capability of Loviisa while increasing the production of stable fossil-free electricity in Finland.

Media Contact:

Fortum News Desk, newsdesk@fortum.com, +358 40 198 2843

SOURCE: Fortum