Olkiluoto 3 operates at reduced capacity due to technical fault in circulation pumps
Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) has announced that the Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear power plant unit will operate at reduced capacity for the coming weeks due to a technical fault in two of its main circulation pumps. The plant is currently producing electricity at approximately 1,300 megawatts, which corresponds to about 84 percent of its full capacity of 1,600 megawatts. Yle reports that the fault was detected earlier this summer, prompting a reduction in power output while investigations were carried out.
Following a decision made on Monday, TVO will maintain this lower power level until the plant’s annual maintenance begins on 10 September 2026. The company has stated that the issue poses no risk to nuclear safety. Iltalehti notes that the circulation pumps are responsible for circulating water within the reactor facility, and corrective measures will be monitored at the reduced output level until maintenance work commences.
Other plant units and maintenance schedules
While OL3 operates at reduced capacity, the Olkiluoto 1 (OL1) and Olkiluoto 2 (OL2) units are functioning normally, though Yle highlights that OL2 is also running at a lower power level until a new rotor is installed. The replacement rotor, described as technically improved, is not expected to arrive at the plant until the end of 2027.
Maintenance work is also underway at Finland’s other nuclear power plant, Loviisa. Iltalehti reports that Loviisa 2 has been offline since early August and will remain out of operation until mid-September. Following this, Loviisa 1 will undergo maintenance from late September to mid-October. Additionally, OL3 is scheduled for annual maintenance from early September to late October.
The overlapping maintenance periods are expected to reduce Finland’s domestic electricity production capacity in the coming months, contributing to anticipated increases in electricity prices this autumn.
