(468.4657) Vladimir Slyviak -Kalevi Numminen said the overall electrical capacity deficit which could be anticipated as a result of the Swedish decision would resurrect the issue of the need for new nuclear capacity in Finland. He said that in the current circumstances, IVO would be ready to participate in preparing a new nuclear power plant project, provided the government and parliament gave "sufficient" guarantees that the project would be implemented. He said the initiative would have to come from politicians. Social Democrat Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen said his coalition would not endorse any such proposal in the Eduskunta (parliament).
According to Numminen, net imports of electricity (from Russia and Sweden) is about 8 percent of the total amount consumed in Finland.
As a result of the Swedish decision, IVO would bring forward plans to build new power capacity. IVO was already planning to build a large-scale coal- or gas-fired plant. A new fossil-fired plant construction - unlike nuclear - is not dependent on prior parliamentary approval.
There have been growing indications over the last year or two that a new nuclear construction project might now win parliamentary approval. A major newspaper reported in December 1995 that 110 of the country's 200 members of parliament would support building additional nuclear capacity.
In September 1993, parliament voted by 107 to 90 to reject plans for a fifth Finnish nuclear power reactor, despite government approval for the project (see WISE NC 400/1.3903).
However, a new opinion poll published in January 1997 revealed that still 50 percent of the Finns are opposing building new nuclear capacity while 46 percent is in favour. This number is slowly growing. Last year it was 38% in favor and 58 percent against.
Source:
- Ecodefense (Russia) #110, February 1997
- Power In Europe, 14 February 1997
Contact: Wise Stockholm