EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson to visit Finland

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Publication date 15.9.2023 13.20
Press release

The European Commission’s Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, will visit Finland on 18–19 September 2023. During her visit, Simson will meet Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Kai Mykkänen, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz and members of Parliament’s Environment and Commerce Committees.

On Monday, Commissioner Kadri Simson will have a meeting with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to discuss the state of the EU energy market, renewable energy investments and the potential of the hydrogen economy.

Minister of Climate Change and the Environment Kai Mykkänen and Simson will discuss the role of nuclear energy at the EU level and in future legislation, the opportunities offered by small modular reactors (SMRs), the EU climate package for 2040 and current legislative projects, such as the reform of the EU electricity market and the market package for hydrogen and decarbonised gas.

On Monday afternoon, Simson will visit Fortum’s low and intermediate level waste repository in Loviisa and hear about the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel and the operation of the Loviisa nuclear facilities. Fortum will also present studies on new nuclear power, which looks at the commercial, technical and public policy requirements of both SMRs and traditional large reactors in Finland and Sweden.

The Government granted a new operating licence for the Loviisa plant units until 2050 in February. Fortum is also reorganising the way it procures fuel for the nuclear power plant and the company will report on this matter to the Ministry by the end of the year.

On Monday evening, Commissioner Simson will meet Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz.

Simson will visit Parliament and meet members of the Commerce Committee and the Environment Committee on Tuesday.

Inquiries: 
Elina Johansson, Adviser to the Minister of Climate and the Environment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 327
Lyydia Ylönen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Climate and the Environment, tel. +358 50 476 1341 
Ismo Ulvila, Director of Communications, European Commission Representation in Finland, tel +358 50 541 1122
Mia Willberg, Director of Communications, Fortum Plc, tel. +358 40 777 5989