Adopt-a-Topic: #4:    Central Office, N. a.s.b.l. (n.d.). Finland / country needs new large-scale nuclear power plants, says energy technology expert :: Nucnet: The Independent Nuclear News Agency. The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency. https://www.nucnet.org/news/country-needs-new-large-scale-nuclear-power-plants-says-energy-technology-expert-1-5-2024 

 

The views of Lappeenranta University of Technology energy technology professor Esa Vakkilainen, who emphasizes the necessity for Finland to construct new large-scale nuclear power plants, are discussed in the article. According to Vakkilainen, even with the nation’s growing reliance on renewable energy sources, baseload power—which nuclear energy can supply—is still necessary. He proposes that Finland should aim to generate 50% of its electricity from nuclear power, up from the current 35%. Additionally, Vakkilainen brings up the potential for new construction projects at the sites of Loviisa and Olkiluoto. Finland’s nuclear power capacity is exemplified by the Olkiluoto-3 nuclear power plant, which started operations in May 2023.

 

Environmental Science Perspective: By emphasizing nuclear power’s role in the process of switching to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system, this article is pertinent to environmental science. Renewable energy sources are sporadic and weather-dependent, but their expansion is crucial for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and slowing down climate change. In contrast, nuclear power offers a consistent and dependable source of electricity that can satisfy baseload demand. In order to ensure a dependable and resilient energy supply while lowering carbon emissions, Vakkilainen highlights the significance of maintaining a balance between nuclear power and renewable energy by arguing for an increased share of nuclear power. Regarding the environment, the expert’s perspective is in line with the necessity of a varied energy mix to tackle the issues of energy security and climate change. Notwithstanding its contentious reputation, nuclear power has a lot to offer in terms of reliable power supply and the production of low-carbon electricity. Countries can build a more reliable and robust energy system by combining nuclear power with renewable energy sources. Nonetheless, it is imperative to take into account the related environmental and safety factors, like waste management and accident prevention. Achieving sustainable development goals can be facilitated by finding a balance between nuclear power and renewable energy sources.