2010-03-01
After nearly two months of test operation of the modernized third reactor in Oskarshamn, a temporary operational interruption was performed in the middle of February. The date set for resuming the operation has now been postponed. The reason being that the delivered important valves controlling the turbine steam flow have faulty construction and require reconstruction. The new starting date for a few more weeks of test operation has now been preliminary set to March 22.
Oskarshamn 3 is currently in a test period after an extensive power uprate and modernizing programme has been performed. Unit 3 should this week have been restarted after a temporary operational interruption. The restart has now been set to March 22, since the contractor has established that the valves controlling the steam from the reactor to the turbine condenser are faulty and must be reconstructed.
– We are of course disappointed since the power rate is affected when a reactor is not in operation. The reactor in Oskarshamn not being in operation also brings about major expenses, however, the safety at the plant is at all times more prioritized than resuming the production, says Lars Thuring, MD of OKG.
Unit Oskarshamn 3 – the largest boiling water reactor in the world
The power uprate and modernizing programme has been in progress since March 2009. A project that in 2009 involved 5 000 individuals and that will result in the world’s largest boiling water reactor with a power output of 1 400 MW. When in full operation, the reactor will be able to supply slightly more than 11 TWh of electricity, which corresponds to almost 15 per cent of the Swedish nuclear power generation.
– This is one of the most complex programmes performed ever in the entire world. Integrating new technology with existing technology is in many respects far harder than building an entirely new nuclear power plant, says Lars Thuring.
The project was completed in December 2009. At this time a test period was initiated in order to verify all the functions in the plant. On February 12, the reactor was taken out of operation in order to attend to a number of deficiencies detected during the test period.
An extensive test programme has since the stop on February 12 been performed, involving around 30 different tests of parts in the facility. These are complicated tests requiring careful planning, detailed test instructions for operators and test personnel with analyses by contractors as well as our own personnel. Should there arise a need for modifications in the plant, our internal safety manual, approved by the regulatory bodies, shall be complied with, which entails project planning, review process, implementation and final documentation before the unit may be restarted.
– In connection to the interruption, problems were detected concerning the valves controlling the steam from the reactor to the turbine condenser. These must now be dismantled to be reconstructed, and we have a close cooperation with the contractor around the clock working in three-shifts to be able to quickly come up with a solution, Lars Thuring explains.
Safety and quality have top priority
– The extensive work has involved many challenges for our own personnel as well as for our contractors. We have now realized that we have been far too optimistic. The complexity of the work resulted in the work taking more time to complete than planned and we must consider this as a failure on our side. However, safety and quality always have top priority. Naturally, we will not restart the reactor until all analyses have been completed and measures have been taken, Lars Thuring finishes.
More information on any changes may be found via the Nordic Electricity Market’s website, Nordpool.
Further information may be given by:
Lars Thuring
MD
Tel: +46 491 78 78 40
Published by:
Communications & Public Relations
Tel: +46 491 78 75 50
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Facts
OKG AB generates ten per cent of the total power production in Sweden and is a subsidiary company in the E.ON group. OKG has invested SEK 12 billion to improve and modernize the units at Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant. The objectives with the power uprate and modernizing programme at unit 3:
- Further improve the safety
- Extend the technical lifetime from 40 years to 60 years
- Power uprate from 1 150 to 1 400 MW
- Secure the electricity supply in Sweden.
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