Finland, which is building its fifth nuclear reactor, has yet to decide how many reactors it will need in the next decade but it will be fewer than three, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said Tuesday.
"I don't believe that based on calculations (on future energy needs) the government could decide (to accept) all three nuclear reactor applications," Vanhanen wrote on his blog.
Three utility groups - Fortum Oyi (FUM1V.HE), Teollisuuden Voima Oyi (TVO), and Fennovoima Oyi - have submitted applications to the government to build a new nuclear reactor in the Nordic country.
"Each plan has to be reviewed carefully, compared with each other, and the efficiency of additional nuclear energy has to be compared to other ways to cut CO2 emissions," Vanhanen said.
Last week the government announced a long-term plan under which the Nordic country aims to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80% by 2050 from 1990 levels, to minimize the risks caused by climate warming.
That means that Finland has to for instance increase the use of renewable energy, electric cars and other new technologies.
The government is expected to decide early next year how many new nuclear reactors if any will be built in the coming years, said a spokeswoman for the employment and economy ministry, responsible for energy issues.
The Finnish parliament also has to approve the plan.