After almost 15 years of construction and many cost overruns, the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant started producing 1.6 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, about one seventh of Finland’s total electricity demand, boosting the Nordic country’s electricity self-sufficiency significantly. The start-up of the Finnish reactor was a rocky road: it was first scheduled to be completed in 2009 and ended up costing $12 billion, three times more than the original estimate. Operator Teollisuuden Voima, or TVO, tweeted that “Olkiluoto 3 is now ready” after a delay of 14 years from the original plan. More nuclear power projects are expected, as Finnish conservatives hold a firm grip on power. Petteri Orpo, leader of the National Coalition Party and main candidate in the prime minister race, often says in campaign speeches that nuclear power should be “the cornerstone of Finnish energy policy.” Finland justified the Olkiluoto plant decision in the early 2000s in the light of energy independence and compliance with emission limits, two arguments that remain valid today. At a time when European countries have cut oil, gas and other power supplies from Russia, Finland’s neighbor, it will also help Finland achieve its carbon neutrality targets and increase energy security.
Read more on Elpais.com and on Tvo.fi
