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työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö

Nuclear energy

More than a quarter of electricity consumed in Finland is produced with nuclear power. There are four operative nuclear power plants in our country, and in February 2005 Government gave a construction license for the fifth nuclear power plant unit.

In 2008 and 2009, three applications for a Decision-in-Principle concerning new nuclear power plant units were filed to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. On 6 May 2010 the Council of State made two positive Decision-in-Principle on nuclear power plant units, concerning Teollisuuden Voima Oyj and Fennovoima Oy. The possible positive decisions require ratification by the Parliament. On 1 July 2010, the Parliament ratified these decisions.


Nuclear power plays a major role in the implementation of the Finnish National Climate- and Energy Strategy.  In practice the use of nuclear power does not cause any greenhouse gas emissions.


The final disposal of low- and medium-active radioactive waste has been started in Finnish nuclear waste management, and a decision-in-principle ratified by Parliament on the final disposal of spent fuel in Finnish bedrock has also been made.

The risks inherent in the use of nuclear energy require a more comprehensive and intensive supervision than any other form of energy. The supervision aims to ensure the safety of the use of nuclear power, appropriate handling of nuclear waste and that the use of nuclear energy does not lead to development of nuclear weapons. The objectives and framework of this supervision are determined by Finnish nuclear law, whose underlying principle is that the use of nuclear energy must be in the overall interest of society.

Page last updated: 07.07.2010