FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 27.10.2026
The 2026 annual outages at the Loviisa nuclear power plant have been completed, and both units have resumed electricity generation. During the annual outages, about a quarter of the fuel in both units was replaced, and extensive maintenance, inspection, and modernization work was carried out.
Unit 2 underwent the extended inspection outage carried out every eight years. The annual outage included, among other things, reactor inspections and a pressure test, numerous maintenance and servicing tasks, and refuelling. In addition, several significant upgrades related to the extension of the power plant's operating lifetime were carried out. Unit 1 underwent a normal refuelling outage, which also included maintenance and servicing work, and upgrades to structures and systems.
Turbine modernization ensures reliable operation through the plant's lifetime
Several modernization projects were launched during annual outages, the most significant of which involved upgrades to the turbine island. These upgrades are part of the investment programme aimed at extending the operating lifetime of the power plant, with the goal of ensuring stable and safe electricity generation at the power plant through 2050.
"The upgrades to the low-pressure turbines were among our most significant modernization projects. This autumn, after a long period of preparation, the project moved into the implementation phase," reports Sasu Valkamo, Senior Vice President, Loviisa power plant.
Improving the efficiency of the turbines will increase the power plant's electrical output by an estimated 38 megawatts in 2026-2028 without increasing the thermal output of the reactors. Electrical output will increase gradually as the modernization project progresses.
Introduction of Western fuel continued
In November 2022, Fortum signed an agreement with the US-based Westinghouse Electric Company for the design, licensing, and supply of a new fuel type for the Loviisa power plant. The new fuel type guarantees a reliable Western alternative for fuel deliveries to the Loviisa power plant.
Fortum loaded the first batch of fuel supplied by Westinghouse into Unit 2 during the 2024 annual maintenance outage. The introduction of the new fuel has continued with the loading of additional Westinghouse fuel into Unit 2 during the 2025 annual outage and this year's annual outage. A significant portion of the fuel loaded into the Lovisa power plant is now entirely of Western origin.
In addition to the Westinghouse fuel, another type of Western fuel is also being developed for the Loviisa power plant. In April 2026, Fortum and three other European energy companies signed an agreement with the French company Framatome to develop a fully European nuclear fuel for VVER-type nuclear power plants, including Fortum's Loviisa power plant.
1,800 workers participated in the annual outage
A total of 1,800 people from Fortum and its partner companies participated in the annual outage.
"We have completed a long and demanding annual outage, during which, in addition to replacing the low-pressure turbine, we also upgraded the turbine's control and protection systems, as well as the first set of main seawater pumps and motors. Despite some challenges, I am very pleased that we were able to carry out all the planned work. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the annual outage for their excellent work, strong cooperation, and commitment to our shared goal," says Sasu Valkamo.
Fortum Corporation
Communications
Further information:
Fortum News Desk, newsdesk@fortum.com, +358 40 198 2843
Loviisa power plant
In 2025, the availability at Fortum's fully-owned Loviisa nuclear power plant was 89.4%. In 2025, the power plant produced a total of 7.9 terawatt hours of electricity, which is approximately 10% of Finland's electricity production. Fortum employs about 800 nuclear sector professionals, 580 of them work at the Loviisa power plant. Additionally, nearly 100 permanent employees of other companies work in the power plant area every day. More information: fortum.com/loviisa
Fortum
Fortum is a Nordic energy company. We generate and deliver reliable energy to our customers and the Nordic energy system while at the same time helping industries decarbonise their processes and grow. Our core operations comprise efficient and best-in-class low-carbon power generation, customer services, and heating and cooling. Fortum's power generation is already 99% from renewable or nuclear sources with one of the lowest specific CO2-emissions in Europe. We are guided by our ambitious SBTi-validated emission reduction targets on our way towards net-zero by 2040. For our ~4,500 employees, we commit to be a safe and inspiring workplace. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. fortum.com