1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Israel-Hamas warRussia's war in UkraineAnniversary of EU's expansion east

Nordic nukes

July 1, 2010

Finland's parliament has overwhelmingly approved government plans to allow a consortium of national utility groups and a German partner to construct two more nuclear power plants in the country.

https://p.dw.com/p/O7XW
Nuclear power remains a controversial issue in Europe

Finland's center-right coalition government had granted preliminary approval in April to the Finnish utilities Teolllisuuden Voima (TVO) and Fennovoima for the construction of the reactors in collaboration with the German energy company E.ON AG.

The parliamentary approval on Thursday was expected because the four government parties hold a comfortable majority in the Helsinki assembly.

The four existing reactors were constructed in the 1970s, and the fifth unit, a 1,600 megawatt third-generation reactor on TVO's site in southwestern Finland, is being built by France's Areva and Germany's Siemens in a project plagued by delays and cost over-runs.

The two new reactors are supposed to make the country self-sufficient in electric power generation by 2020.

Author: Gregg Benzow (AP/AFP)
Editor: Chuck Penfold

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

The construction of Finland's fifth nuclear reactor, Olkiluoto 3, is underway

Finland's nuclear power plans worry renewable energy advocates

Finland's nuclear power plans worry renewable energy advocates

Finnish lawmakers on Thursday are to vote on the construction of two new nuclear power plants. Critics say expanding the nuclear sector will hurt the development of renewables, even outside of Finland. (30.06.2010)
June 30, 2010
Plug and socket

Merkel meets anxious energy bosses

Merkel meets anxious energy bosses

German energy firm heads are meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday to air their grievances over a proposed tax on fuel elements that would cut into their profits. (23.06.2010)
June 23, 2010
wind turbines and a rapeseed field

Europe searches for a common energy policy

Europe searches for a common energy policy

Experts agree that the farewell to coal, oil, gas and also nuclear power can already be implemented technically. But the transition to renewable energy lacks the necessary political framework and willpower. (09.04.2010)
April 9, 2010