The beginning of the construction of the Finnish nuclear power plant was marked by an official ceremony attended by Rosatom representatives, among them Kirill Komarov, Rosatom Deputy CEO for Corporate Development and International Business, Nikita Konstantinov, CEO of Rusatom Energy International (former Rusatom Overseas, Rosatom’s representative on international markets), his deputy for business development Anastasia Zoteeva, Vadim Ryabov, Chairman of the Management Board of RAOS Project Oy (a subsidiary of Rusatom Energy International responsible for the Finnish project), and Grigory Naginsky, Chairman of the Board of the construction company TITAN-2. Finland was represented by Fennovoima’s project director Minna Forsström and the mayor of Pyhäjoki Matti Soronen.
The rock was blasted during the ceremony to install a memorial stone. Then the top managers visited the local office of RAOS Project Oy (Hanhikivi-1 general contractor) in Pyhäjoki. After that the guests moved to the city hall for a press conference where they answered questions of the media.
Kirill Komarov stressed that Hanhikivi-1 would contribute to the local economy with tax proceeds both during the construction and operation phases and, according to Rosatom’s estimates, each new job at a nuclear station created 7–8 jobs in related areas. “This year we are finalizing documents to obtain a construction license for the nuclear power plant. This is what we are at now with Fennovoima, our customer and partner,” said Kirill Komarov. He also thanked municipal officials, local people, Finnish businessmen and the government of Finland for their support of the Hanhikivi-1 project.
Minna Forsström noted that this ceremony marked an important step forward. “I am really glad that the project moves ahead in line with the schedule,” she said.
According to Leonid Gusev, an expert from the MGIMO Analytical Center, the beginning of the construction is yet another proof that the project fully meets the schedule. “This is an important, large-scale project for the Russian-Finnish economic cooperation. The construction of a VVER-1200 based nuclear plant will involve both Russian and Finnish companies,” he stressed. “The project is supported by the local community because the construction and subsequent operation of the nuclear station will create new jobs and give momentum to the local economy. Rosatom brings benefits to the country where it constructs nuclear facilities, but we should not forget that Russian companies also benefit from Rosatom’s international business by receiving new orders and acquiring new competencies. This is why government funds provided to finance the construction will also contribute to the Russian economy.”
Igor Igoshin, a member of the Russian Parliamentary Committee for Economic Policy, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, said, “Hanhikivi-1 carries on the tradition of large projects jointly implemented by Russia and Finland in the nuclear power industry. In particular, Finland operates the Russian-designed Loviisa nuclear power plant, which demonstrated one of the highest (92.9%) capacity utilization factors globally in 2015. Hanhikivi-1 is based on VVER-1200, a Generation 3+ nuclear plant design that incorporates all the European safety requirements and post-Fukushima safety standards. The highest quality standards, strong safety focus and economic efficiency make Rosatom a global leader in the construction of nuclear reactors. By developing its international business, Rosatom earns hard currency for the country and keeps domestic companies busy and involved.”
For reference: the construction contract for Hanhikivi-1 was signed in December 2013 by Fennovoima Oy and Rusatom Energy International, an operator and stakeholder of Rosatom’s international projects in the nuclear power industry. In spring 2014, Voimaosakeyhtiö SF (Finland) announced a deal to sell a 34% equity shares in Fennovoima to RAOS Voima Oy. In September 2014, Rosatom’s project design company Atomproekt (Saint Petersburg) and Rusatom Energy International signed an agreement to develop the full set of project design documents for Hanhikivi-1. The nuclear plant design complies with the IAEA and EU standards and will be adjusted to fit the Finnish national safety requirements. In June 2015, Fennovoima applied for the NPP construction permit. The commissioning of Hanhikivi-1 is scheduled for 2024.
