The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) reports that Oulu and Lapland Chambers of Commerce want Fennovoima’s nuclear power plant to be located in the north. In their joint statement, the chambers stress the economic and employment effects of Fennovoima's project.

According to the chambers of commerce, the majority of residents in both Pyhäjoki and Simo are in favor of the nuclear power plant. The municipalities are two of Fennovoima’s three alternative locations for the plant.

The statement points out that the steel companies in the north and Fennovoima’s two million Finnish electricity customers need electricity at reasonable cost. In addition, the chambers remark that choosing Pyhäjoki or Simo as the location for the plant would develop Finland in an equal manner and strengthen Finland’s maintenance security in electricity supply.

The chambers welcome the boost the plant would give to the economy and the hundreds of jobs it would bring, also after the construction phase.

In addition to Fennovoima, the owners of Finland’s now existing nuclear power plants, Fortum and TVO, have applied for a licence for a new nuclear plant. The Finnish Broadcasting Company reports that the government does not agree on how many licences should be given but it seems that in 2010, the Finnish parliament will make a decision about construction of just one nuclear power plant.

> Read more about Fennovoima's project.