Sweden’s largest nuclear plant, Oskarshamn, which provides about 10 percent of the country’s electricity, is offline due to a turbine malfunction.
According to initial reports, Sweden’s largest nuclear reactor, Oskarshamn 3, had to be shut down on Wednesday morning due to a turbine failure. Désirée Liljevall, the plant’s communications manager, was unable to give any details about the nature of the failure or how long production at the plant was expected to be shut down.
The shutdown of Oskarshamn 3, operated by Uniper SE, could affect Swedish consumers in the middle of the energy crisis. The plant has an average production capacity of 1,450 megawatts, which is essential for the electricity supply in the south of Sweden.
The reactor was designed in 1973 but was not commissioned until 1985. The initial capacity was 1,000 megawatts and then 1,200 megawatts, which was increased to 1,450 in 2011 when the plant received new turbines, as well as a new circulating system, generator, and transformer. As for the problems, this is not the first time a complete shutdown has occurred.
In 2013, a bloom of jellyfish clogged the pipes responsible for the cooling water, and last February the reactor had to be taken offline for nine days due to a malfunction. In September 2022, experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) carried out a long-term safety review of the plant, from which they left satisfied, although they made recommendations for some safety improvements.
