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Finnish authorities to make conclusions about Hanhikivi 1 NPP security by spring of 2014

The Russian company Rusatom Overseas and Finnish Fennovoima are to sign a contract on the plant’s construction by the end of the year

HELSINKI, September 12 (Itar-Tass) - The Finnish authorities will decide by the spring of 2014 whether to approve the construction of Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant in northern Finland, Jan Vapaavuori, Finnish minister of economic affairs, said on Thursday.

The Russian company Rusatom Overseas and Finnish Fennovoima are to sign a contract on the plant’s construction by the end of the year. Fennovoima received from parliament the license for the plant’s construction back in the summer of 2010. The Russian company, however, was not mentioned as the reactor’s supplier.

Vapaavuori said that within six months it would be necessary to make conclusions about two aspects of the future plant - the ecological aspect and that of safety. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Labour would deal with the first one and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority “STUK” with the second.

The minister stressed that the plant’s construction was essential to the country’s energy strategy and enhanced reliability of supply. He said the project, in principle, met the Finnish government’s interests.

The Russian and Finnish companies signed in July the agreement on drafting the contract on the nuclear power plant. Rusatom Overseas will supply a 1200 MW reactor for the plant. The company may also acquire a 34-percent stake in Fennovoima.

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