Editorial The rationale for the Hanhikivi nuclear power plant is dwindling

Finland must reduce its dependence on Russian energy. The future belongs to small modular nuclear power plants, not to old-fashioned giants.

To a Finn the mentality is to “depoliticize” things — even to try to purge politics out of political issues and view them only as technical problems.

When the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline was built between Germany and Russia, the project in the Baltic countries and Sweden was a project with environmental, geo and security policy dimensions. Finland would acknowledge the pipeline as a matter of environmental impact, which will be investigated by the authorities.

In 2016, Elina Lepomäki (now Valtonen), Member of the Coalition Party, asked the Board in writing questionwhether Nord Stream 2 has a security policy dimension.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Central) answered. Sipilä admitted that the security policy situation in the Baltic Sea region has deteriorated due to Russia’s actions. He said some member states were criticizing the project because it did not meet the EU’s goals of reducing its dependence on Russian gas.

See also  Public transport | HSL's ticket application was out of order this morning - the company says that in similar situations an application downloaded to the phone is enough for a ticket

But the situation was clear to Finland. “Nord Stream 2 is primarily a commercial project, which must be able to be implemented, like other commercial energy projects, if it meets the conditions set by EU regulations, international law and national legislation,” Sipilä summed up.

Thinking was similar when the Hanhikivi nuclear power plant was planned for Pyhäjoki. The project was originally supposed to be a Western act, but it changed momentum, driven by the Russian Rosatom. At the same time, old arguments about the nature of the project began to drift into problems. The project was no longer just about the adequacy of Finnish energy, the fate of nuclear waste or the risks of nuclear power – commercial benefits and power plant safety.

Rosatom is part of the core of the Russian economy, and the company will remain obedient to Russia’s governmental goals. And they are increasingly focused on pursuing Russia’s interests in geo-security policy.

The situation was different at the beginning of Fennovoima’s project due to Russia’s attitude at the time. The project could be – at least tried – treated as having no major security problems. It can no longer be, the world has changed.

See also  Rally | Kalle Rovanperä's superiority continued in Sunday's opening match

The whole of Europe must reduce its dependence on Russian energy, and Finland cannot deviate from this front. Now that Germany has decided to stop the approval process for Nord Stream 2, it will be even more difficult for Finland to justify the country increasing its energy ties to Russia.

The construction company SRV has already made its decision. It announced that it would relinquish its ownership of Hanhikivi. The solution was facilitated by the fact that the structures needed for a nuclear power plant would be coming from Kramatorsk, an area that Russia now wants, which is close to Ukraine’s war zone.

Hanhikivi project its importance for Finland’s energy security has diminished. Although the start-up of Olkiluoto’s third unit is a bit stagnant, the reactor is likely to generate electricity at full capacity in the summer. The start-up of nuclear power, together with the ever-increasing production of renewable energy, will reduce the need for the Fennovoima project. The future is different, the world is moving towards small modular nuclear power plants.

See also  "He is unworthy of a candidate": Argentine priests defend the pope after insults from Milei

Last autumn, the Ministry of Defense hoped that a study on the geopolitical risks of the power plant would be carried out alongside other studies underpinning Fennovoima’s construction permit. Russia’s actions in recent days have led to a security analysis. Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä (Central) spoke on Tuesday.

The report is important. It brings a political dimension to the depoliticised economic calculations of internal cleansing. It may be embarrassing in relation to Russia, but it is precisely bold political deliberation that promotes the overall good of society. If it leads to the disruption of Fennovoima’s project, it is certainly not worth mourning the end result.

The editorials are HS’s statements on a topical issue. The writings are prepared by HS’s editorial staff and reflect the magazine principle.

#Editorial #rationale #Hanhikivi #nuclear #power #plant #dwindling

Related Posts

Next Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended