ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, May 19 (UPI) -- Russian environmentalists are concerned about government plans to construct a new commercial nuclear power near St. Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland.
The new plant will be constructed next to the ageing Soviet-era Sosnovyi Bor installation, which is due for closure after the new facility is completed in 2013.
Russian Atomic Agency Administration head Sergei Kirilyenko stated that the new plant, at least two reactors of 1,100 megawatts each, was intended to eliminate the possibility of electricity shortages in the St. Petersburg region. While the reactor would initially generate electricity solely for domestic use, it could later export surplus energy to neighboring countries.
Helsingen Sanomat reported Thursday that the prospect of an energy shortage in northwestern Russia has been used to counter calls for establishing an underwater electric cable for Russian electricity exports to Finland.
Finnish Minister for Trade and Industry Mauri Pekkarinen said that while the reactor's construction was a purely domestic Russian concern, Finland would be pleased if Russia replaces its aging nuclear plants with new facilities.
