Petteri Orpo stated on Sunday that citizens must not be left to foot the bill for rising electricity prices driven by the rapid expansion of data centers across the country.
Speaking on the prime minister’s interview hour at Kesäranta, Orpo insisted the challenge is entirely manageable. He warned that electricity costs will inevitably climb if energy producers fail to launch new projects to match the surging demand.
To keep consumer prices under control, Orpo outlined four distinct pillars for future energy production. First, he pointed to the government’s updated nuclear energy legislation and ongoing nuclear initiatives, stating his strong personal backing for atomic power.
“I am a major supporter of nuclear power. I have been and I still am,” Orpo said.
The prime minister said that while these nuclear projects should operate primarily on market terms, the government remains open to providing state support if a genuine need arises. Beyond nuclear expansion, Orpo highlighted a large number of energy investment projects already underway that will inject additional supply into the market.
The third element involves securing adequate balancing power to maintain grid stability during cold, windless winter days. Orpo emphasized that such flexible generation assets are critical to preventing price spikes when weather-dependent renewables fall short.
Finally, the government is preparing new legislation that would prioritize industrial and energy projects capable of bringing their own dedicated power generation to the table. Orpo expressed confidence that these combined regulatory and market tools will keep energy costs stable.
Orpo stressed that Finland must continue to attract international investments by safeguarding its core competitive edge: affordable and clean energy. At the same time, he acknowledged that government policies aimed at boosting employment will take time to yield visible results.
“We have problems, we have worries, we have too much unemployment, we have too many underprivileged people, but at the same time Finland has huge opportunities to cope and succeed,” Orpo said, maintaining an optimistic outlook despite economic headwinds.
