Westinghouse Electric Company has successfully delivered its first reload of VVER-440 fuel assemblies to the Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant in Finland. This milestone marks a significant diversification achievement for Fortum, providing a reliable Western alternative for Finland’s fuel supply. The occasion was marked by a celebration attended by Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai A. Mykkänen, his team, and representatives from the City of Loviisa.
In November 2022, Westinghouse and Fortum entered into a long-term partnership to develop, license, and deliver VVER-440 fuel. This agreement follows their previous collaboration from 2001 to 2007, during which Westinghouse supplied nearly 750 VVER-440 fuel assemblies to Loviisa. The upgraded Westinghouse VVER-440 and VVER-1000 fuel designs are also utilized in Ukraine and Bulgaria’s nuclear power plants.
“The safe and reliable operation of our Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant is crucial for Finland’s energy security. Our customers rely on the stable and clean electricity we produce with high availability. Diversifying the fuel supply has been a key project for us over the past two years, and we are thrilled to have achieved this milestone with Westinghouse,” said Petra Lundström, Executive Vice President of Nuclear Generation at Fortum.
Tarik Choho, President of Nuclear Fuel at Westinghouse, stated, “We are immensely proud of our more than 50-year partnership with the Nordic region in nuclear energy, producing carbon-free electricity. Our proven track record in supplying Western-designed VVER fuel and our strong regional presence with manufacturing in Sweden will support Fortum’s long-term operational goals.”
Fortum has operated the Loviisa Nuclear Plant safely for over 40 years. Its two VVER pressurized water reactors generate about 10 percent of Finland’s electricity, preventing approximately six million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually compared to fossil fuel-based electricity.
Westinghouse is a leading supplier of nuclear fuel, offering a comprehensive portfolio across various reactor types, including PWR, BWR, AGR, and VVER. With world-class manufacturing facilities in Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Westinghouse focuses on delivering innovative fuel technologies to meet customer needs for lower fuel cycle costs, operational flexibility, efficiency, and diversity of supply. For more information on our advanced fuel capabilities, visit Westinghouse Nuclear > Nuclear Fuel.
Westinghouse Electric Company continues to shape the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear technologies worldwide. Having supplied the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957, Westinghouse technology underpins nearly half of the world’s operating nuclear plants, reflecting over 135 years of innovation and making it a preferred partner for advanced nuclear energy solutions.
