Fennovoima model of two smaller nuclear reactors interests decision-makers

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Support for the energy company Fennovoima as the builder of Finland’s next commercial nuclear power installation is getting increasing support within the Parliamentary group of the Centre Party. Also sparking interest is the company’s proposal to build two small reactors, one after the other, in the north of Finland.
      Key figures in the parties of the Finnish government have been careful not to take sides in favour of any of the three applicants for a licence to build a new reactor. The disagreements have focussed on the number of licences to be granted. As it looks clear that this government will not propose granting a licence to all three, the Parliamentary groups are deliberating over which of the applicants to favour.
     
The Parliamentary group of the Centre Party is leaning toward Fennovoima, the newcomer in the nuclear industry, for reasons of regional development policy.
      The most outspoken in the matter is Centre Party Deputy Chairman Antti Rantakangas, an MP of the Oulu electoral district. He feels that Fennovoima should get a licence, and the government should move the matter to Parliament, stating that one of two northern communities, Simo or Pyhäjoki, should be the location of the new plant.
      In addition to the location, Rantakangas feels that the Fennovoima plan would bring nuclear energy to many industrial companies and electric utilities which do not yet have it.
      Fennovoima apparently has considerable support among Centre Party parliamentarians. However, some Centre Party MPs are against all new nuclear projects.
     
Many political decision-makers are interested in Fennovoima’s proposal to build two smaller reactors instead of a single large one at the new plant. Construction could partly take place at the same time, but one would be completed about two years before the second one.
      The reason for this is that if a completely new area is to be set up in Finland for nuclear energy, it would be expedient to utilise the massive infrastructure by building more than just one reactor.
      Under the plan, the plant would be supplied by the French company Areva with the help of the German Eon.
     
The output of one reactor would be a maximum 1,250 megawatts, which means that the combined yield of both would be 2,500 megawatts.
      Juhani Hyvärinen, director of nuclear technology at Fennovoima, says that if desired, the installation can be built on a somewhat smaller scale, with two reactors of 1,000 megawatts in output each.
      Other proposed reactor models for Fennovoima would be an Areva 1,700 megawatt EPR of the type that is now being built in Olkiluoto, as well as a Toshiba 1,600 megawatt ABWR.
      Hyvärinen says that none of the options have been placed ahead of the other, and that the company is willing to implement any of them.
     
Building two reactors in sequence is a popular model, and was employed in Finland, when the four Finnish commercial reactors currently in use - two in Loviisa, and two in Olkiluoto - were built.
      The model has a number of advantages.
      Expensive planning and drawings can be utilised by making more than one identical unit with the same design. It is also easier to link smaller units with the electricity grid. The need for alternate backup power is reduced, when it is not necessary to prepare for the consequences of the shutdown of a single large unit.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Competitors doubt Fennovoima’s ability to finance new nuclear power plant (3.3.2009)
  COMMENTARY: Talking quietly about nuclear power (17.2.2009)
  Fortum holding back nuclear application (15.1.2009)
  Pekkarinen’s comments on nuclear power take ministry and Fennovoima by surprise (25.4.2008)

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