Nuclear power poll: Most Finns say five reactors are enough

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More than half of Finns feel that the upcoming fifth commercial nuclear reactor is good for Finland. A fresh poll commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by Suomen Gallup shows that the ongoing project is favoured by 52%, while only one in three are opposed to it.
      The poll also shows that a slight majority, 51%, oppose calls for a sixth reactor, while 40% are in favour of it.
      The fifth installation is already under construction, and discussions on a sixth have intensified over the spring. Representatives of Finnish industry recently asked if the nuclear option would be available at the end of the next decade.
     
The study indicates that supporters of the opposition conservative National Coalition Party are the most enthusiastic supporters of a sixth nuclear power plant. Nearly half of supporters of the Social Democratic Party also want to increase the use of nuclear energy.
      Voters of the Green League and the Left Alliance are overwhelmingly opposed to more nuclear energy, while 50% of supporters of the Centre Party are against, and 43% are in favour of a sixth plant.
      The poll also showed that most men were in favour of more nuclear power. Only one fourth of women are pro-nuclear.
     
There were also some differences among the various age groups. The proportion of supporters of more nuclear energy was slightly higher than average among those aged 50 - 64 (46%). Only 34% of those aged 25 or less want more nuclear power.
      Senior clerical workers were among the most pro-nuclear professional groups. Students were most opposed.
      There were few geographical differences in attitudes.
     
Respondents were also asked which forms of electricity production they felt should be increased in the future.
      The most popular sources were wind power, as well as wood, peat, and other biological sources of energy. Attitudes were also very positive toward natural gas and hydroelectric power.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  French company to construct nuclear reactor buildings in Olkiluoto (24.3.2005)
  Finnish nuclear power plants reinforced to withstand earthquakes (23.9.2004)
  Parliament approves fifth commercial nuclear reactor (24.5.2002)

Helsingin Sanomat