Four Green Party candidates in Finland have retracted a long-standing opposition to nuclear power, noting that the government's “current bio-energy policy is … a disaster for both the climate and the Finnish nature”. The four candidates – Jakke Makela, Tuomo Liljenback, Markus Norrgran and Heidi Niskanen – said their interpretation of the Green Party's platform “does not rule out modern and possibly more economical nuclear technologies, such as small nuclear reactors.”
They also noted that about a third of the Green Party members would already “accept nuclear power, at least under some conditions,” and said it was time for “an open discussion,” on the topic despite its history as a “topic that divides opinions very strongly”. The candidates said it was an issue that would not splinter the Green Party, as it held onto the party's core beliefs of “responsibility for the environment and the future, freedom for all, and caring for other people.”
About a third of Finland's electricity is generated by four reactors at two nuclear power plants, with a new plant under construction by Fennovoima. The candidates noted that the Fennovoima project has divided Green party members. It is expected to go on line by 2025, with Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom owning a 34% share in the project.
Photo: Fennovoima nuclear plant
