Vattenfall changes direction for operational lifetimes of Ringhals 1 and 2

Vattenfall has decided to change the direction of the planned operational lifetimes for Ringhals 1 and 2. The reason is declining profitability and increased costs.

The new direction means that Ringhals 1 and 2 may be closed down between the years 2018 and 2020 instead of, as previously announced, around 2025. The closure decision will be made by the Ringhals Board of Directors and requires unanimity between the owners, i.e. Vattenfall and E.ON.

“Unfortunately, we see market conditions with continued low electricity prices in the coming years. At the same time, we are facing increasing production costs,” says Torbjörn Wahlborg, Head of Business Area Generation, Vattenfall.

As to Vattenfall's five other nuclear reactors Ringhals 3 and 4, and Forsmark 1, 2 and 3, the existing plans for at least 60 years of operational lifetime, until the beginning of 2040s, remains.

“Vattenfall’s decision is business driven. It is of course regrettable to close down well-functioning production units but sometimes this is inevitable,” says Torbjörn Wahlborg.

E.ON has been informed about Vattenfall's decision to change the direction.

The book value of Ringhals 1 and 2 in the Vattenfall Group consolidated balance sheet amounts to SEK 15.1 billion as of 31 March 2015, of which Vattenfall’s share is 70.4%. The combined financial impact is being investigated.

Vattenfall discloses this information pursuant to the Swedish Securities Market Act.


For more information, please contact:
Magnus Kryssare, phone: +46 (0)76 769 56 07

From Vattenfall’s Press Office, Tel.: +46 (0)87 39 50 10, e-mail: press@vattenfall.com
Facebook: facebook.com/vattenfallpressrum
Twitter: twitter.com/Vattenfall_Se

See also

Dismantling of the Brunsbüttel nuclear power plant: A look behind the scenes

The final shutdown of the Brunsbüttel nuclear power plant in 2011 marked the start of one of the most challenging technical projects in northern Germany: the dismantling of the plant.

Read the full article

Why modular nuclear reactors?

Over the past 20 years, several major nuclear power projects have been affected by delays and increased costs. This is one of the reasons for the interest in modular reactors. 

Read the full article
Three construction workers at the site of the spent nuclear fuel repository.

One of the world's first final repositories for spent nuclear fuel is being built in Forsmark

While many countries still are seeking long-term solutions for managing nuclear waste, Sweden’s SKB is showing the way.

Read the full article