Lifetime extension planned for Forsmark and Ringhals nuclear plants

The owners of the Forsmark and Ringhals nuclear power plants in Sweden have decided to extend the operating lifetime of the plants' reactors from 60 to 80 years.

This would enable further fossil-free electricity into the 2060s, which favours the industry transition, as well as the availability of efficient electricity supply to Swedish consumers.

Torbjörn Wahlborg, senior executive vice president generation in the Nordic region at Vattenfall said: ”Nuclear power will play an important role in Swedish fossil-free electricity production for many decades and it is therefore of the utmost importance to invest not only in new nuclear power, but also in our existing reactors. After the extensive modernisations that have been carried out in the past, we see good prospects for extending the operating life up to 20 years."

Extending the operating life of the five reactors at Forsmark and Ringhals by 20 years could provide a total of more than 800TWh of fossil-free electricity, which is roughly equivalent to today's Swedish electricity consumption for six years.

Have you read?
Is nuclear power more risky than renewables?
Wylfa site in Wales selected for UK’s next big nuclear project

Following this directional decision, an in-depth investigation phase awaits, which will include more detailed cost calculations and an analysis of identified risks in terms of expertise and suppliers, among other things.

After this, a final investment decision can be made. Most of the necessary investments are planned to take place in the 2030s.

Björn Linde, CEO of Forsmark Kraftgrupp AB and Ringhals AB said: “The preliminary study that has been carried out shows that it is efficient to utilise investments that have already been made and that contribute to a low-carbon emissions electricity system. Extending the operating time of existing reactors does not entail any complex licensing processes and we also believe that the additional nuclear waste can be accommodated within the system for nuclear waste from existing reactors."

To extend the operating time, investments of an estimated SEK 40-50 billion ($3.8 - $4.7 million) are being made to replace or renovate systems and components. Technical needs include maintenance, refurbishment or replacement of components such as turbines, condensers, generators, as well as modernisation of control and monitoring systems. Investments are also required in switchyards and power lines, plant buildings and other infrastructure.