Finland, Norway to replace nuclear-powered lighthouses

Finland and Norway have decided to fund a project to remove nuclear
power sources from lighthouses in the Gulf of Finland, according to a
statement released by Finnish government Tuesday.

The two governments signed an agreement on the project during
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store's visit to Finland on Tuesday.

There are 87 nuclear-powered lighthouses in the Gulf of Finland at
present. These lighthouses' strontium-fuelled Radioisotope thermoelectric
generators (RTGs) would be replaced with solar- panels and other power
sources.

Norway, having funded similar projects in the Barents Sea, pledged to
pay most cost of the 10-million-euro project, with Finland promising about
1.5 million euros.

The Finnish government said that the project would improve maritime
safety and prevent terrorists from acquiring radioactive materials.