Former Speaker of Parliament Lipponen to examine Olkiluoto problems

print this

The former Speaker of Parliament and two-term Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (SDP) is to serve as an advisor to Pohjolan Voima, the energy company said on Monday.
      According to Lipponen, one of his tasks will be to resolve problems that have emerged in the construction of the third nuclear reactor in Olkiluoto - the fifth in Finland.
      Lipponen told Helsingin Sanomat on Monday that he has been in contact with the French government and with companies involved in the construction project.
      "The question is one of relations between Finland and France, and Finland's interests in energy and climate policy", he says.
      Lipponen added that he is in close contact with Minister of Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen, so that there would be no uncertainty about what the policy line of the Finnish government is.
     
Lipponen's task as advisor includes other aspects of energy policy. "Reducing emissions would seem to be the most urgent", he said.
      "I have not made any agreement to start altering my behaviour into that of an apostle of nuclear power", he said, when answering a question on the promotion of nuclear energy. He also sees the promotion of biofuel to be a central matter.
     
The problems of Olkiluoto have been brought out repeatedly. It has been more difficult than anticipated for the French-German consortium that is building the facility to adhere to safety requirements. The new reactor must be capable of withstanding the impact of a crashing plane, for instance.
      "The matter has been turned upside-down, when the fact that safety is dealt with is seen to be an indication of the lack of safety." There have been loud protests from Greenpeace, for instance, over the construction of the plant.
      The Greens sharply criticised Lipponen for a speech that he made in the Polish Parliament past spring, in which he passionately spoke on behalf of nuclear energy, using expressions and terminology that were remarkably similar to those of a European organisation promoting nuclear power.
      "The debate has been quite proper, with a few exceptions. A common understanding largely prevails over energy policy", he commented.
      Lipponen says that his main occupation now is the writing of his memoirs. The first part is scheduled to appear next year. Helping Pohjolan Voima is taking a few days out of each month.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Further nuclear reactor construction delays could lead to electricity shortage (13.8.2007)
  Greenpeace stages protest at nuclear construction site - Finnish authorities want explanation (29.5.2007)
  Construction delays at nuclear plant spark row over compensation (1.2.2007)
  Head of nuclear construction project says schedule may be too tight (18.12.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat