MOSCOW, December 5 (Sputnik) — Finland's parliament on Friday approved with a majority of votes the construction of the Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant with Russia's participation.
The measure makes Finland the first country to back a large investment project involving Russia since the West started imposing its sanctions.
The project received 115 votes in favor of the power plant, with 74 opposing the construction.
The plant is to be situated on the coastal municipality of Pyhajoki in Northern Ostrobothnia in Finland on the shore of the Baltic Sea. The Hanhikivi 1 power plant is expected to start producing electricity in 2024.
In December 2013, Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom's subsidiary, Rusatom Overseas, and Finnish nuclear power company Fennovoima signed a contract for the construction of the plant. In March 2014, RAOS Voima Oy, Rusatom Overseas' subsidiary, purchased a 34-percent share in Fennovoima.
