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Sun, 22 Dec, 2013 03:12:25 AM Govt welcomes the progress of nuclear power project Environmentalists express resentment FTimes-STT Report, December 22  Fennovoima headquarter in Helsinki. Photo – Lehtikuva. Finnish power company Fennovoima and Rusatom Overseas, a subsidiary of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, on Saturday signed an agreement on plant supply for setting up the proposed nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki.
The details of the deal for the nuclear power plant, expected to come into operation in 2024, was, however, not disclosed.
Sources said the Fennovoima authorities would confirm the issue by February before making final decision to set up the nuclear plant.
Expressing satisfaction with the agreement, Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori expressed said the interests of different parties in the project had prompted the deal.
Fennovoima's largest shareholder Outokumpu has also welcomed the move saying it was a significant step towards setting up the plant.
Rusatom is expected to get one third of Fennovoima's ownership. Morever, Rusatom will help Fennovoima with the loan acquisitions.
Mayor of Pyhäjoki Matti Soronenn said he, along with the dwellers of the municipality, welcomed Fennovoima and Rusatom to the town and wished success for the project.
However, Helena Maijala, chairman of environmental group Pro Hankikivi criticised the move.
File Photo of Pyhäjoki sign. Photo – Str / Lehtikuva. The environmentalist censured the Pyhäjoki mayor for terming his own views as the opinion of the residents and expressed wonder as the total cost of the project and other issues had not been made public.
On September 18, Fennovoima Oy submitted the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of its 1,200 megawatt project to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
The proposed plant has an AES-2006 type pressurised water reactor manufactured by Rosatom.
Earlier, 30 Greenpeace activists from Finland, Sweden and Russia demonstrated at the Vantaa City Hall against Vantaa's participation in the Fennovoima project. Vantaa is the fourth most populated city in Finland.
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy also organised a round of consultations on the report in line with the Act on Environmental Impact Assessment Procedure.
The Ministry and Fennovoima Oy also organised open discussions in October in Pyhäjoki where citizens gave their views and obtained information on the project and its impact on the environment.
The original EIA report process for the Fennovoima power plant project was carried out in 2008-2009. On the basis of the report, the Government in 2010 made a decision-in-principle to allow the building of the plant. Parliament ratified the decision in July 2010.
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