Finnish utility Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) has started the bidding process to build the utility’s proposed fourth reactor unit (OL4) at the Olkiluoto nuclear power station on Finland’s west coast. Bids are expected to be submitted by the beginning of 2013.
The application to Finland’s government in 2008 for a Decision in Principle specified a reactor of 1000-1800 MW. In July 2010, the country’s parliament approved the construction of two additional reactors, including the Olkiluoto-4 project which is now settled at 1500-1800 MW.
The plant suppliers invited to bid are Areva (EPR plant type), GE-Hitachi (economic simplified boiling water reactor, ESBWR), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (APR1400), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (EU version of APWR) and Toshiba (ABWR).
TVO has started the engineering process, in consultation with the five potential suppliers, to ensure that the plant types offered meet Finnish safety requirements and can be implemented in Olkiluoto, stated Mr Janne Mokka, the senior vice president in charge of the OL4 project.
GEH, which signed a licensing feasibility study contract with TVO in February, is known to be working with its project partners and mobilising the supply chain to prepare its proposal to TVO’s technology, schedule, and budget requirements. GEH is partnering with Fluor Corporation to jointly prepare the bid. In January, GEH signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Space Systems Finland Ltd (SSF), which specialises in the validation and verification of safety critical software for various industrial sectors, including the aerospace and utility industries.
MHI has also announced (26 March) that it would conduct a feasibility aiming to secure and fulfil the engineering procurement and construction requirements for the OL4 project. The company has established a liaison office in the Finnish capital Helsinki to improve collaboration with TVO, with Finland’s nuclear safety authority STUK, and with partner companies.
