Modernisation project on diesel generators soon to reach halfway milestone

Project Manager Petteri Salminen says that construction works for subsystem B at OL1 were completed on 9 January. That was also the point when the worksite was handed over to Wärtsilä by Skanska Talonrakennus Oy that was the contractor responsible for construction engineering.

- Next the project moves on to the installation of the engine, the generator as well as auxiliary systems for the subsystem concerned, Salminen confirms. The installation works are scheduled to be concluded by May and will be followed by commissioning tests.

The purpose of the EDG project worth more than one hundred million euros is to replace the diesel generators that serve as emergency power sources for the OL1 and OL2 plant units. They will automatically secure power supply at the plant units in case of loss of power; an event that is possible, although highly improbable.

All in all, there are eight generators at the OL1 and OL2 plant units that are in operational readiness at all times. This principle has been strictly adhered to also during the replacement project. This has been made possible by the building of a ninth diesel generator early on in the project, used to replace the diesel generator being replaced at any one time.

The replacement of the original diesel generators started at the end of the summer 2020. For each individual diesel generator with auxiliary systems, the replacement process takes about six months. Subsystem B at OL1 where work is currently focused is the fourth diesel generator to be replaced.

- The intention is to have all the subsystems replaced by June – July 2025, explains Project Manager Salminen.

The new diesel gen­er­a­tors fea­ture air cool­ing in ad­di­tion to sea­wa­ter cool­ing, and are rated to with­stand also earth­quakes.

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Text: Ville Kulmala
Images: Tapani Karjanlahti