A nuclear power reactor in Oskarshamn has been hit by a Fuel damage.

The owner OKG has notified the power exchange of the damage that has occurred. Communications Manager Désirée Liljevall describes the damage as not entirely unusual. But for market reasons, she is not allowed to say much more than what has been announced to the Nordpool power exchange.

According to her, this is a so-called secondary fuel damage. It could be some kind of debris that may have ended up in the fuel pool and that could rub holes in the fuel enclosure.

– What exactly this fuel damage is due to, we only know after the examination of the damaged fuel, says Désirée Liljevall.

And when do you know that?

– We have an audit in April. And if nothing unforeseen happens, the idea is that we look at it then.

– We keep track, we do not know more at present, she continues.

The largest unit for electricity production in southern Sweden

High gas prices in Europe, increased demand for electricity and sometimes bad winds have led to sharp price peaks. Lower transmission capacity from Norway last week makes imports more limited, with higher prices as a result, Svenska Kraftnät writes in an update of the power balance for the winter.

In recent days, prices in both the south and north have been sniffing at historically high levels, and the week as a whole looks set to be record expensive.

Svenska Kraftnät’s operations manager Pontus de Maré is of the opinion that it could get even worse, and the fuel damage in Oskarshamn is a worrying joker in the game.

“Should the fuel damage at Oskarshamn 3 get worse and the block need to be shut down, we will lose 1,450 MW in electricity production in southern Sweden,” writes Svenska Kraftnät’s operations manager Pontus de Maré.

It is the largest electricity production unit we have in Sweden. And a possible shutdown of the reactor would also affect the flows for the worse, in an already strained position.

– It would be a blow for electricity deliveries to the south, says Christian Holtz, analyst at the energy consulting firm Merlin & Metis.

It could be a few kroner more on individual days, according to him.

The risk then increases for disturbances in the power balance, which in turn, if desired, can lead to local shutdowns of electricity, even if that danger should be toned down, according to de Maré and Holtz.

– It involves greater risks than it usually is, albeit quite small anyway, says Christian Holtz.

May need to be closed

How serious is the fuel cell damage in the only remaining reactor in operation at Oskarshamnsverket? There is no danger to safety, but it may need to be closed for repair.

Christian Holtz finds it difficult to assess the seriousness, or the probability of a temporary shutdown of the Oskarshamn reactor to rectify the fault.

– But they flag up because there is a risk, he says and notes that Svenska Kraftnät also pays attention to this.

– No smoke without fire, he continues.