Energy Central-News Article

Because of the ongoing war in Ukraine, we have a historic situation to look for energy solutions that are independent of Russian imports. Together with climate change, we face enormous challenges. We must use all the tools and expertise to find the right solutions and increase crisis resilience, emphasized Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintil in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Nordic Nuclear Forum 2022 in Helsinki on 7 June 2022.

Helsinki, June 7-9 Nordic Nuclear Forum 2022 is an event for the nuclear industry that brings together companies, researchers, organizations and authorities around the world to hear about the latest information and insights in the nuclear industry. "Nuclear power plays a key role in clean energy production and achieving the 2035 carbon neutrality target in Finland. that good is worth waiting for, Lintil said.

There is strong support for the use of nuclear energy in Finland. This is important because citizens and society, as end users of energy, have a say in energy production, Lintil reminded.

We need to understand the dynamics of long-term investment and take it into account in the regulation of the industry, which also affects funding. We cannot be carbon neutral and self-sufficient in Europe without nuclear energy, the minister continued.

One much-discussed energy solution for the future is small modular reactors (SMRs). However, they are not yet in commercial use. One way to prepare for the introduction of SMR technology is to harmonize regulations at EU level as well. Safety, economics and regulation are also significant factors affecting the future of small reactors, Lintil emphasized.

Nuclear waste management is also central to future technologies. It is very important to us in Finland that nuclear waste management and decommissioning are financed and organized in a consistent and timely manner, the Minister emphasized.

I will end my opening remarks with positive news about Posiva Oy, which is building the world's first high-level waste disposal facility in Olkiluoto. Posiva applied for its first operating license for its plant at the end of last year. Processing of the permit has begun at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. This is a logical result of decades of research and development and responsible long-term planning by Posiva, the minister said.

Posiva's plant will be completed in the mid-2020s. We are pleased that Sweden made a similar decision this year regarding the final disposal of nuclear fuel (SKB), said Minister Lintil.