Regional radio station Perämeri of the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE reports that entrepreneurs operating in Merilappi, Lapland, welcome a new nuclear power plant. This is the result of a thesis written by Marjut Mertala, student in Simo.

In her thesis, Ms Mertala studied how the Fennovoima nuclear power plant would influence the operations of companies in the region. According to Ms Mertala’s thesis, entrepreneurs expect that the planned nuclear plant would support employment and the general economic situation of the Simo region. A part of the companies that took part in the enquiry for the thesis are confident that the construction phase would bring new contracts and subcontracts and thus generate more demand and secure the operation of the companies.

The research shows that almost 50 per cent of the companies that answered the enquiry estimate that their need for new employees would increase if the nuclear power plant is located in Simo. Six per cent of the respondents expected the power plant to generate negative effects, for example in respect of the environment and the appeal of the region.

Ms Mertala’s research period lasted for about six months and she interviewed some 190 companies representing various business fields.