The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE reports that the Finnish government is expected to make its decision on constructing new nuclear power soon. Mauri Pekkarinen, Minister of Economic Affairs, is going to gather an unofficial meeting of the government parties (the Centre Party, the National Coalition Party, the Green League and the Swedish People’s Party of Finland) for the purpose of handling the question of submitted nuclear power plant applications.

The Minister wants to find out the opinion of the government before making his official proposal. On the basis of the proposal, the government decides which applicant or applicants will be given a licence.

Last week, the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed the appeals made on the applications and the government is now free to decide how many Decisions-in-Principle it will propose for the Parliament.

All applicants fulfill legal requirements

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy has stated for YLE news that all nuclear power applications, that is those of Fennovoima, Fortum and TVO, fulfill the legal requirements both in terms of environmental and technical aspects. There are no shortcomings or flaws in the applications that could prevent the granting of a licence. According to the Ministry, there are no legal arguments for rejecting or favoring some applicant but the decision is now purely political.

The target of the government is that the parliament would be able to make its decision concerning the new nuclear power construction already in June.

>> Read about Fennovoima's schedule.