Finland / Climate And Energy Concerns See Support For Nuclear Hit More Than 60%

Energy industry group calls for ‘common European market’ for nuclear power plants.

Climate awareness and the energy crisis have consolidated support for nuclear power in Finland with 61% of respondents in favour and only 9% against, according to a survey by Verian for Finnish Energy industry group.

The 61% approval rating is the second highest outside the “energy crisis winter “of 2023, Finnish Energy said

“The results show that concerns about electricity prices have decreased with Olkiluoto-3 online, and more electricity generation being built,” Finnish Energy said.

“Strong support for nuclear power is important at a time when more clean electricity capacity is needed to reduce emissions from industry and transport and attract new industrial investment.”

Last year, Finnish Energy said the operation of Olkiluoto-3 and a national desire to end energy imports from Russia had strengthened support for nuclear power.

Jari Kostama, director of energy production at Finnish Energy, said the role of nuclear energy has been more widely recognised in Brussels, as reflected in interest in new solutions such as small modular reactors and support for nuclear as a technology that can help meet climate targets.

“There is still work to be done,” Kostama said. “A common European market for nuclear power plants would enable the benefits of serial production, and this requires a technology-neutral climate and energy policy from the EU, as well as cooperation between nuclear safety authorities in harmonising requirements.”

In 1983, when the first survey was carried out, less than 30% of respondents said they supported nuclear with around 38% against.

Finland has five commercial nuclear reactors – two at Loviisa, owned and operated by Fortum, and three at Teollisuuden Voima Oyj’s (TVO) Olkiluoto. In 2022, before Olkiluoto-3 began operating, the four plants provided about a 35% share of electricity production.

Last year TVO began an environmental impact assessment for the possible extension of operating licences and power uprates at the Olkiluoto-1 and -2.