The Olkiluoto 2 (OL2) nuclear power reactor shut down on Friday due to a technical glitch.
According to the Nord Pool electricity exchange, the fault began at 10:59 and is estimated to last 16 hours. The Nordic grid site warned of an "unplanned unavailability" due to a "technical failure on the nuclear island". '
The Olkiluoto reactors are located on an island in the Gulf of Bothnia, in Eurajoki near the city of Rauma.
According to a press release from plant owner Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), there was a problem during a software update of the reactor power control system at one of the large nuclear power plant’s three units. OL2 has been up and running since 1982.
The fault automatically triggered an emergency reactor shutdown and a halt in electricity production. According to TVO, the plant operated as planned in the situation.
Last spring, OL2 shut down after a rise in moisture levels was detected in the generator.
Power cut as much of Finland faces deep freeze
The company says the incident had no impact on nuclear safety.
The plant’s OL1 and OL3 units are in production as normal.
According to the current estimate, the Olkiluoto 2 reactor is to resume production at 3am on Saturday.
The shutdown comes as much of Finland is facing the coldest temperatures of the winter so far and some 800 households remain without power since a major storm last weekend. More heavy snow and strong winds are predicted through Saturday in southern and western parts of the country.
