Finland: Nuclear power plant site vandalised
Fennovoima’s controversial nuclear power plant construction site in Pyhäjoki has again been vandalised – this time with three machines left broken.
Fennovoima’s Hanhikivi nuclear construction site in Pyhäjoki on Finland’s upper west coast was broken into and vandalised during the early hours of Monday morning, according to the contractor’s son Olli Pahikainen.
Pahikainen says that three digging machines were vandalised to the point of requiring serious repair. He estimated the cost of repairs and lost labour at 10-20,000 euros.
Serial vandalism
According to Pahikainen, activists have vandalised machines on the site previously. In June, rocks were thrown at excavators when they arrived at the site for the first time.
Pahikainen suggested that protesters near the site might be responsible for the damage.
Environmental concerns
One of the protesters, who gave her name as Eleonoora, said that she doesn’t know anything about the details of the attack.
“Apparently someone has done this. I understand that there are people who use other means to express their views,” she said.
Activists in Finland and neighbouring Sweden are concerned about the environmental impact of the site among other issues. Work is proceeding at the site near Raahe, despite the fact that Parliament has not given final approval for the project.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Floating nuclear power stations for Arctic?, Radio Canada International
Finland: Russian links to nuclear power project questioned, Yle News
Norway: Three years on, still no deal on nuclear accident warning for Norway, Barents Observer
Russia: Finland downplays Russian bid to build reactor, Yle News
Sweden: Sweden’s environment minister wants nuclear reactors closed, Radio Sweden
