Name of the Project
Ringhals nuclear power plant upgrade.

Location
Värö Peninsula, in Varberg municipality, about 65 km south of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Project Owner/s
Ringhals, owned by Vattenfall (70.4%) and Sydkraft Nuclear Power (29.6%).

Project Description
The Ringhals nuclear power plant has a total power output of about 3 932 MW and produces 20% of all the electricity used in Sweden. 

The four reactors produce about 28 TWh/y.

Ringhals 1 was shut down as planned on New Year’s Eve in 2020. After nearly 45 years of power operation, the nuclear fuel will now be removed from the reactor, after which the plant will be prepared for decommissioning.

Even though Ringhals 1 and 2 have been shut down, electricity generation continues with the Ringhals 3 and 4 reactors.

Ringhals’ and Vattenfall’s boards of directors have decided to invest in independent core cooling for reactors 3 and 4 at the power plant to extend operations into the 2040s.
 
Ringhals 3 and 4 provide about 12% of the country’s electricity generation; the four reactors combined previously accounted for about 20% of Swedish electricity generation.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
SKr900-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The radiological dismantling of Ringhals 1 and 2 is planned to start by the end of 2022 and last for almost a decade.

Latest Developments
Westinghouse Electric Sweden has been contracted to dismantle the reactor tanks and their internal parts, as well as fuel racks, in Ringhals 1 and 2.

The physical work of dismantling the large radioactive components at Ringhals 1 and Ringhals 2 will start on  April 1, 2023, at the earliest.

The internal parts of the reactor tank at Ringhals 1 will be segmented first and then that of Ringhals 2. The internal parts are the most radioactive material and are taken care of first to remove radioactivity from the facilities.

The work is performed with remote controlled underwater tools to protect workers  from radiation. Thereafter, starting at Ringhals 1, the reactor tanks are segmented, the water is emptied and the tank is covered by a lid to protect  from radiation.

The fuel racks are decontaminated and then cut down to manageable sizes.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Vattenfall subcontractor Westinghouse Electric Sweden (dismantling of reactor tanks, internal parts and fuel racks).

Contact Details for Project Information
Vattenfall’s press office, tel +46 8 739 50 10, email press@vattenfall.com.