Sharp rise in support for sixth nuclear reactor in past year

Supporters of large parties most open to more nuclear power

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A majority of Finns appear to support the construction of a sixth commercial nuclear reactor in Finland. Currently there are four reactors in operation, and a fifth is being built in Olkiliuoto, the location of two of the existing facilities.
      According to a survey commissioned by Helsingin Sanomat and conducted by Suomen Gallup, support for building more nuclear power has significantly increased during the past year.
      A year ago, when Suomen Gallup conducted a survey on the possible construction of a sixth reactor, supporters numbered just 42 percent of those questioned.
     
Respondents to the poll were asked the following question:
      "A fifth nuclear power facility is being built in Finland, which should produce electricity in about the year 2010. One option for the further development of electricity production is to increase the construction of nuclear power. How do you feel about building a sixth nuclear installation in addition to the fifth: do you support the idea, support it to some degree, oppose it to some degree, or oppose it?"
      Nuclear power was also an option in another question: respondents were asked what sources of electric energy, if any, should be increased in the future.
      For the first question, 26 percent said that they supported more nuclear construction, and 36 percent said that they supported it to some degree. A year earlier the figures were 20 and 22 percent. Opponents numbered 33 percent, down from 51 percent a year ago.
      Supporters of the three largest parties, the Centre Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the opposition National Coalition Party, were all supportive of nuclear energy. The greatest surge in favour of nuclear power was among supporters of the Centre Party. Only supporters of the Green League had remained largely opposed to a sixth nuclear power station.
     
The surge in support for nuclear energy was more moderate on the basis of the second question. When there was a choice among several options, 51 percent of respondents were in favour of more nuclear energy.
      The most popular options are wood, peat, and other bio-energy, as well as wind, hydroelectric power, and natural gas. The numbers of those who would increase the use of nuclear power and bioenergy have grown, while those who would increase wind power and natural gas have decreased in numbers.
      At 30 percent, the proportion of those who would increase imports of electricity remained unchanged from last year.
     
The respondents were also asked what they thought should be done with the energy company Fortum, a state-owned enterprise, which is also quoted on the stock exchange. Nearly half felt that the company’s status should not be changed.
      Finally, respondents were asked which of a number of factors they felt had the greatest impact on the price of electricity. Two out of five felt that the main factor was the desire for profits on the part of electric utilities.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Energy report: no need for sixth nuclear plant (22.12.2005)
  Need for sixth nuclear reactor divades Presidential candidates (23.11.2005)

Helsingin Sanomat