Finnish foreign minister and former industry minister Erkki Tuomioja has said that he’s “still skeptical about whether the economics are right for such a big, risky investment” as a fifth reactor.
Last November Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) submitted an application to the government for a decision in principle to build a fifth reactor in Finland (see NEI January 2001). Despite his reservations, Tuomioja expects that the government will send the application to parliament without comment and leave it up to legislators to settle the issue.
Tuomioja has made it clear he is personally opposed to nuclear power, but his successor as industry minister, Sinikka Moenkaere, has said publicly she supports a new unit.
Also opposed to the new unit is environment minister Satu Hassi who has threatened to leave the government over the nuclear issue.
