"In the EU we have very ambitious new targets to decrease our CO2 emissions by 30-35 percent. It's very difficult to manage these challenges without utilizing nuclear power. This is the reality," Pekkarinen told AFP.

"We have to have the doors open for nuclear power plans and to increase the use of renewable energy and bio-energy," he said.

Finland is currently in the process of building a fifth nuclear reactor. It is expected to be operational by 2010 or 2011.

Pekkarinen, a member of the ruling agrarian Centre Party, had in the past opposed the construction of a sixth nuclear reactor.

The share of renewable resources in primary energy in Finland is currently about 25 percent. Pekkarinen said he believed that this share could grow in 20 years to 40 percent.

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