The nuclear energy programme launched by Helen last year has now selected three potential power plant sites for further assessment. The sites in question are the Vuosaari and Salmisaari power plant areas and the Norrberget area in western Östersundom. With the exception of Norrberget, the sites are already being used for energy production operations and are managed by Helen.
The aim of Helen's nuclear energy programme is to build a small-scale nuclear power plant that will generate a steady and stable supply of energy regardless of the weather, without carbon dioxide emissions and cost-effectively, thus strengthening the security of supply in Helsinki and Finland as a whole.
The next step of the nuclear energy programme is to launch an environmental impact assessment procedure for the potential power plant sites. The City of Helsinki is also preparing to launch related land use planning. Residents will have the opportunity to participate and be heard during both the land use planning process and the environmental impact assessment.
The actual decisions on the site of the power plant will be made in the coming years on the basis of the environmental impact assessment and other studies. The land use planning of the power plant site will be handled by the City of Helsinki, in addition to which the site will need to be approved by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.
Land use requirements of the nuclear power plant to be assessed
Helen and the City of Helsinki are working together to start an active dialogue with city residents and public authorities. The aim is to provide all parties with as much information as possible about the project to support decision-making.
“The new Helsinki City Strategy states that we are preparing for the possible placement of a small-scale nuclear production plant in Helsinki. The land use requirements of the project will be assessed thoroughly,” says Helsinki’s Land Use Director Rikhard Manninen.
The aim is to facilitate sustainable and reliable energy production that serves the residents of Helsinki and Finland in the best possible way.
“Our studies have shown that small-scale nuclear power is the best way to achieve carbon-free, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, non-combustible, stable and reliable energy production. The more detailed assessments that are now being launched will determine the suitability of the selected potential sites for the plant, and as part of the process we want to hear the views of Helsinki residents on the project and the site options,” says CEO of Helen Olli Sirkka.
The options selected by Helen for further assessment are plant types that generate heat only and electricity alongside heat, which can be built in the district heating network area with moderate area requirements.
“Electricity production in Helsinki would balance the entire Finnish energy system and the strong fluctuation in electricity prices by generating stable, weather-independent electricity for the southern part of the country, where coal-based electricity production has been phased out in recent years and where the demand for energy is also expected to grow significantly in the coming years,” says Sirkka.
City residents invited to join the discussion
The City of Helsinki in cooperation with Helen will be holding a public discussion event on nuclear energy in Central Library Oodi’s Maijansali on 20 November, starting at 17.00. More information about the event(Link leads to external service) . The venue has a capacity of approximately 100 people, and the event can also be followed in real time at helsinkikanava.fi(Link leads to external service) . A recording of the event will also be made available online for later viewing.
You can also contribute to the discussion on nuclear power on the kerrokantasi.hel.fi(Link leads to external service) website. The feedback provided via the Kerrokantasi survey will be utilised in the assessment of the potential power plant sites. The survey will remain open until 7 December.
