Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant Extended Shutdown Following Serious Pipe Leak

The Oskarshamn nuclear power plant, Sweden's largest, will remain offline for an additional month due to ongoing repairs following a serious pipe leak at reactor 3. The facility was initially expected to resume operations by August 15, but repairs have ultimately been delayed, pushing the restart date to September 17, 2025.

The leak, described as the most serious incident at a Swedish nuclear power plant in five years, prompted a thorough assessment by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten). The reactor was shut down in March for routine annual maintenance when a crack in a pipe was detected. Due to the critical nature of the leak's location, the reactor cannot be brought back online without explicit approval from the safety authority.

Francesco Cadinu, an inspector with the authority, emphasized that there is currently no risk associated with the damage, informing that the reactor's tank is empty, ensuring that there is no immediate danger during the repair process.

This operational setback has raised concerns regarding energy supply stability in Sweden, as the plant plays a significant role in the country's energy infrastructure. The delay in repairs not only affects nuclear power generation but may also lead to increased reliance on alternative energy sources to meet demand during the extended downtime.