Helsinki  - The Finnish government was likely to decide on a possible expansion of the country's nuclear power base in early 2010, Economic Affairs Minister Mauri Pekkarinen said Friday.

Pekkarinen made the estimate after a meeting with three groups that have presented plans to build more reactors.

If the government gives approval, parliament would be able to decide on the possible expansion before the autumn of 2010, Pekkarinen told Finnish news agency STT.

Finland currently operates four reactors while construction is underway on a fifth reactor.

The locations for the current reactors are at Olkiluoto, south- western Finland and near the town of Loviisa, some 90 kilometres east of Helsinki.

One of the three groups is also looking at four new locations including three on the Gulf of Bothnia. (dpa)