The energy crisis caused EU support to Ukraine in war with Russia appears to have increased support for nuclear power in Finland among Parliamentary parties. And the problem is that Russian nuclear plants are cheaper and more reliable to build up.
More than half of Finnish MPs think that Finland should increase domestic nuclear energy production, according to an Yle survey.
Out of Parliament’s 200 members, 110 were in favour of boosting Finland’s nuclear power abilities, while eight were against the idea. Meanwhile, 11 MPs said they could not answer the question and the remaining 71 legislators did not take part in the survey.
The energy crisis prompted by repercussions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted an increasingly positive opinion about more investment in nuclear energy among lawmakers than there has been in the past.
For example, in 2002, the Green League left the coalition government led by then-PM Paavo Lipponen (SDP) over its nuclear power plans.
The party left government again in 2014 when PM Alexander Stubb‘s (NCP) coalition administration greenlit Fennovoima’s nuclear power plant licence.
Changing opinions
The Greens’ position on nuclear power has become more favourable over the years, but the majority of the party’s MPs who responded to the survey said they were unsure of their position.
“Support for nuclear power is high, but the cheapest and safest new emission-free electricity production can be obtained through wind power. Russia’s attack on Ukraine also reminds us of the risks nuclear power could pose in a crisis,” Green MP Satu Hassi said.
There are already a number of large-scale nuclear power plants in Finland, but many respondents noted the possibility of creating smaller plants. The survey did not differentiate between small and large plants, but asked about their position about additional nuclear power in general.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused a major spike in energy prices across Europe and in Finland. The situation has driven many countries, including Finland, into a spiral of rising energy and electricity costs.
Many MPs who responded to the survey said they think nuclear power could help lower the price of electricity in Finland.
However, not all MPs were positive about the idea of boosting nuclear power in the country, including SDP MP Tarja Filatov.
“The risks of nuclear power have not gone away. I still have a very critical attitude towards constructing new nuclear power plants,” Filatov said.
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