Energy poll: Majority opposed to more electricity imports from Russia

Sixth nuclear reactor still has widespread support

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Nine out of ten Finns feel that Finland should not increase its imports of electricity from Russia. According to a poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by Suomen Gallup, 60 percent feel that the present level of imports is enough. Just over a quarter feel that it should be reduced, and fewer than ten percent feel that it should be increased.
      With construction of a fifth commercial nuclear reactor underway, support for the construction of a sixth gets the support of 59 percent of the people, which is slightly lower than the record 62 percent in a poll taken in April.
     
Support for more nuclear energy among men is 72 percent. Among women the figure has risen from 25 percent to 47 percent within a year and a half.
      The nuclear option gets its greatest approval among voters who support the National Coalition Party. Majorities of the Centre and the Social Democrats are also in favour of a sixth reactor.
      Half of supporters of the Left Alliance favour more nuclear power, while 74 percent of supporters of the Greens are opposed.
     
A proposal for an undersea cable to massively increase imports of electricity from Russia has sparked a good deal of controversy, with experts disagreeing on the feasibility of the plan.
      The Ministry of Trade and Industry is scheduled to take a stand on the issue by the end of the year.
      The poll shows that only nine percent of Finns are in favour of increasing imports from Russia, while more than a quarter want to reduce imports, and three out of five see the present level of imports is sufficient.
      More than a third of supporters of the National Coalition Party want to reduce imports of Russian electricity, while one in five supporters of the Left Alliance would increase imports.
      Questions of energy cooperation between Russia and the European Union are to be discussed on Friday at a dinner linked with the unofficial EU summit in Lahti, which is to be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
      When asked what sources of electricity they would prefer, the most favourite among respondents were wind power bio-energy, and hydroelectric power. Nuclear power was fifth on the list.
      When no country was specified, one in four were in favour of increased electricity imports - a four percentage-point decline since the spring.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Russian undersea electric cable proposal receives mixed reception (3.10.2006)
  Call for radical electricity market overhaul and sixth nuclear reactor (4.10.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat