Nuclear power in Finland
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As of 2006, Finland's nuclear power program has four nuclear reactors. The first operating since 1977, they are providing now 27% of Finland's electricity.
In 2002, the cabinet's decision to allow the construction of a fifth nuclear power plant was accepted in the parliament. Economic, energy security and environmental grounds were given as reasons for the decision. While hydroelectricity is curtailed in dry years, nuclear energy supplies invariant amounts of energy and studies showed that nuclear energy was the cheapest option for Finland. The Green League left the government in protest. The vote is seen as very significant for nuclear energy policy in that it is the first decision to build a new nuclear power plant in Western Europe for more than a decade.
Since 2005 there has been growing vocal support, from industry and government alike, for building a 6th nuclear power reactor in order to lower electricity costs, meet Kyoto protocol and to reduce the dependency on more or less unreliable imported electricity (from Norway, Sweden and Russia).[1] The discussions have advanced so far that some people consider the issue more when it will be finished rather than if it will be built. [2]
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[edit] Current reactors
[edit] Loviisa plant
Located in Loviisa. Two VVER-440 pressurized water reactors built by Soviet Atomenergoeksport. Owned by Fortum. Started electricity production in 1977 and 1980.
[edit] Olkiluoto plant
Located in Eurajoki, near Rauma. Two boiling water reactors. Built by Swedish Asea-Atom (nowadays ABB). Owned by Teollisuuden voima. Started electricity production in 1978 and 1980.
The third Olkiluoto reactor will be the new European Pressurized Reactor. Scheduled to go on line in 2009. Will have power output of 1600 MW.
[edit] Otaniemi research reactor
There is a small research reactor located in Otaniemi, Espoo; a TRIGA Mark II type sunk in open heavy water tank. Built in 1962. Owned by Technical Research Centre of Finland. It has power output of 250 kW (peak power 1000 kW) and is mainly used in brain tumor treatment and research.
