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The letters OULU in pink in front of Tuira, each decorated in honour of the summer and the year of the Capital of Culture.

Front page › Development › Regional planning › The regional plan for the energy and climate phase has been announced as effective 22.8.2025

The regional plan for the energy and climate phase has been announced as effective 22.8.2025

Entities to be treated in the phase regional land use plan

Northern Ostrobothnia is involved in the energy transition, which requires new solutions for energy production, storage and transmission. From the point of view of mitigating and adapting to climate change, energy is a key issue for the use of areas, which includes the general control of the use of areas related to both energy production and consumption. The phase regional land use plan deals in cooperation with the use of the entire county's territory and its main themes are:

  • Energy production, storage and transmission (TUULI project and EMMI project, onshore and offshore wind, hydrogen, solar, electricity transmission)
  • Green structure and ecosystem services (TUULI project, identification of risks to the Natura 2000 network: 6/2024, behind the link also the spatial data of the ecological network, and Report Update, 2/2025, PPL)
  • Regional structure and accessibility (national spatial development picture work and regional structural work)
  • Transport system and logistics areas (national, regional and regional transport system work, transport-side plans and studies, infrastructure projects, advocacy, Oulu region Development picture 2030+)
  • Impacts of the energy transition on land use planning and development of climate impact assessment (Energy transition and climate impact assessment of land use in Northern Ostrobothnia EMMI project has Regional Programme for Northern Ostrobothnia 2022-2025 Sustainablely growing Northern Ostrobothnia theme key project) 

The regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia is in force (MKH 18.8.2025 § 92)

In accordance in cooperation with Section 93 of the Land Use and Building Decree, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region declares that: the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly, by decision of 18 August 2025 (§ 92 ) ordered the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia to enter into force pursuant to section 201 of the Land Use Act before it has become legally valid.When it becomes effective, the regional plan for Northern Ostrobothnia repeals or amends the regional plan solutions for Northern Ostrobothnia as set out in the plan documents. On Friday 22.8.2025, the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region announced the decision on behalf of the municipalities in the region in the regional newspapers (Kaleva, Kalajokilaakso, Koillissanomat, Raahen Seutu) and notified the Northern Finland Administrative Court of the entry into force order.

15 appeals against the decision of the Regional Assembly of 27 May 2025 (§ 5) were lodged in cooperation with the Administrative Court of Northern Finland. On 19 September 2025, the Administrative Court submitted to the Registry Office of the Regional Regional Assembly a request for an opinion addressed to the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly concerning the appeals received against the decision approving the regional plan for the energy and climate phase.You can send a request for information on the appeals lodged to the Northern Finland Administrative Court. The the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly considered the opinion on the complaints at its meeting on 17 November 2025 (§ 152). Direct link to the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly an extract from the minutes;, which describes all administrative treatments of the planning process.

Complaints drafted opinion the attached documents were submitted to the Administrative Court of Northern Finland on 21 November 2025 (deadline 15 December 2025). The Administrative Court forwarded the opinion of the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly to all the appellants, nine of whom submitted a reply to the appeal authority. So far, the Administrative Court of Northern Finland, the appeal authority, has not asked the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly for an opinion on the counter-explanations, but they were submitted to the Registry Office of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region on 26 April 2026. The Administrative Court examines whether the appeals and counter-explanations set out the grounds on which the implementation of the decision on the entry into force of the regional plan should be prohibited, either in part or in full. The Administrative Court may make a separate decision on this matter, which will be sent to the Registry Office of the Regional Regional Assembly and to the appellants for information. At this stage of the proceedings, the Administrative Court did not consider it appropriate to prohibit enforcement or to issue a separate enforcement injunction.

In accordance in cooperation with Section 32 of the Act on Territorial Use, the regional plan serves as a guideline when drawing up and amending the master plan and tnational and regional partnership plan and when otherwise taking measures to organise the use of the areas. The municipal plan may proceed to the approval procedure of the municipal Regional Assembly even if the regional land use plan has been appealed against in respect of the areas concerned. There are four regional plans in force: the three phase-region plans and the Hanhikivi nuclear regional land use plan that repealed the previous total regional land use plan.

Announcement of entry into force

The phase regional land use plan was approved by the Regional Assembly on 27 May 2025 (§ 5)

The planning documents approved by the Regional Assembly were published on 9 June 2025. appended to the minutes of the Regional Regional Assembly meeting of 27 May 2025. The Regional Assembly's approval decision is based on the Local Government Act. Under section 140, an appeal is admissible and does not require prior involvement in the planning process (opinion or reminder), but any member of the municipality, a member of the joint municipal authority, may file an appeal. The appeal period to the Administrative Court (30 days) begins seven days after the publication of the minutes (the latest appeal date is Wednesday 16 July 2025). Any appeal is addressed to the Administrative Court of Northern Finland (instructions for appeals;). An approval notice can be found here: here.

Approved plan data for the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia (MKV 27.5.2025 § 5):

The the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly decided at its meeting on 5 May 2025 (§ 59) propose the approval of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia to the Regional Assembly. In the same closing article of the meeting, the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly approved the responses to the feedback received during the public consultation of the second proposal phase of the phase-regional land use plan from 17 February to 21 March 2025 (Annex 1 to the item; direct link to the anonymised response compilation). According to Section 65 of the Land Use Act, those who have submitted a reminder and provided their contact details in connection in cooperation with the reminder must be informed of the reasoned opinion (response) on the feedback submitted. The summary of reminders and responses will be sent to the feedback providers from the Registry Office of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. In accordance in cooperation with the Land Use Act, responses approved by the Regional Board are sent only for information to the parties concerned. There is no right of rectification or appeal against this document.

the International Consultation The summary of the feedback received from Sweden and the Finnish-language responses to it were approved by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 7 April 2025 (§ 43). The responses translated into Swedish, the English summary and the approval section were submitted to the Finnish Environment Institute on 6 May 2025. In accordance in cooperation with the Land Use Act, responses approved by the Regional Board are sent only for information to the parties concerned. There is no right of rectification or appeal against this document.


Progress of phase regional land use planning, the approval process will be postponed to spring 2025

At its meeting, the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly discussed: 19.11.2024 a summary of the feedback received during the consultation of the public proposal and an exploratory discussion on the state of play. According to the original goal, the phase-regional land use plan was to be submitted to the approval process of the Regional Assembly in December 2024, but due to the extensive feedback, the necessary working negotiations and the need to specify the plan data, the approval of the plan will be postponed to spring 2025. During the regional plan process, municipalities, project developers and business stakeholders in particular have actively communicated their hopes for an enabling regional plan. Efforts have been made to respond fully to these requests in cooperation within the framework of the legal framework. However, the feedback received at the proposal stage of the plan must be taken into account in the preparation. The opinions of the environmental authorities point to the need for further consideration, in particular in cooperation with regard to the coordination of the conservation criteria for the Natura 2000 network and the wind farms designated in its vicinity.

During November-December 2024, the employment negotiations and legal assessments conducted on the basis of the guidance given by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 19 November 2024 ended up organising a new public consultation on the proposal phase. The Regional Assembly was given a snapshot of the planning situation on 9 December 2024 (§ 23). An update of the Natura 2000 risk assessment has been prepared on the plan solution, which supplements the earlier risk assessment of the authority proposal phase (MKH 10.6.2024, § 107). The data was submitted to the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 10 February 2025 (§ 5) together in cooperation with the responses to the feedback received during the consultation during the first stage of the proposal. A new public consultation took place between 17 February and 21 March 2025. At the public proposal stage, statements are no longer requested separately, but the members of the municipalities and other participants in the plan area have the right to make a reminder of the plan proposal. Replies to reminders shall be drawn up and forwarded to the reminders. The response summary was discussed in the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 5 May 2025 (§ 59) and the Government submitted the sub-regional plan to the Regional Assembly for approval. The regional Regional Assembly met on 27 May 2025 and the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia was approved (§ 5). The target schedule for the phase regional land use plan is presented in the chart below.

Figure 1. Target schedule for the phase regional land use plan (27.11.2025).


Re-examination of the draft plan from 17 February to 21 March 2025 (§ 65 of the AKL/MRL, § 13 of the MRA, § 32 of the MRA)

The the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly reminder responses to the first public proposal phase; and the updated Natura 2000 Risk Survey and the documents of the new draft plan to be made available for inspection on 10 February 2025 (§ 5). Compilation of responses forwarded for information to the reminders in accordance in cooperation with the contact details provided to the Registry Office.

After the approval of the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly's minutes, the planning material was published on Friday, 14 February 2025. Factsheet and alert has been submitted to the registries of the member municipalities on 12 February 2025 to be placed on the official Whistleblowing channel of the municipality for the period from 17 February to 21 March 2025. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region publishes a statutory notice in its bulletins (Kalajokilaakso, Kaleva, Koillissanomat, Raahen Seutu) on Friday 14 February 255. According to the legislation, no opinions are requested on the draft plan at this stage. Participants have the opportunity to submit a reminder of the content of the plan during the consultation period.

According to the target schedule, the Regional Assembly will discuss the approval of the phase-regional land use plan at its meeting on 27 May 2025. The approval decision is laid down in the Local Government Act (Section 140; 10.4.2015/410) is open to appeal, and does not require prior involvement in the planning process (opinion or reminder), but any member of a municipality, a joint municipal authority, may file a complaint.

In accordance in cooperation with the Land Use Act (AKL/former Land Use and Building Act, Section 65) and the Land Use and Building Decree (MRA, Section 12, MRA, Section 32), the material for the public consultation on the second phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia will be available from 17 February to 21 March 2025. Members of the municipalities concerned and other participants in the plan have the right to: a reminder of the draft plan during the consultation period, no later than 3 p.m. on Friday 21 March.

Written submissions should be sent by e-mail to:  kirjaamo@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi or to: Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, Poratie 5 A, 90140 Oulu. Feedback is requested to be sent to the Registry Office's e-mail in both text and PDF format. The aim is to have the draft plan submitted for approval in May 2025, so only technical revisions can be made to the new plan solution finalised through studies and impact assessments.

The second phase of the regional land use plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia consists of the following documents (the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 10.2.2025 § 5):

The plan proposal was presented at an online event on Tuesday 18.2.2025 at 17-18:30. The people on the line asked questions. the Message Wall They were answered after the presentation. The presentation was recorded, a link to the event can be found this and the presentation slides of the online event are: this link.

In addition, during the consultation period: two schematic cafés: Wednesday 19 February Kärsämäki (Haapajärventie 1, 2nd floor) and Thursday 20 February City of Oulu (Federal Office, Poratie 5 A, 3rd floor). Experts who have prepared the plan can be found from 3 pm to 5 pm, and answer questions. Welcome to discuss!


Background to the phase regional land use plan

Northern Ostrobothnia is the leading wind power region in Finland, in cooperation with about 40 per cent of Finland's wind power plants. Nearly half of Finland's wind power projects and a lot of expectations for the regional plan are also planned in the region. Project development has been carried out extensively in parallel in cooperation with the process of drawing up the regional plan. in cooperation with the help of the regional plan, it is more challenging than usual to look at the combined effects of different projects and to ensure the sustainable coordination of different needs both on land and at sea. However, the regional will is clear: Northern Ostrobothnia wants to continue to be at the forefront of the energy transition.

The title of the Land Use and Building Act changed during this planning process. From 1 January 2025, the title is the Land Use Act (AKL 5.2.1999), the legal provisions remained unchanged. The content of the Act on Territorial Use is still in preparation, in cooperation with the aim of bringing the new Act into force on 1 January 2026. According to the Act on Territorial Use, a regional plan can be drawn up in stages (§ 27 of the AKL/MRL). This means that the regional land use planning process does not cover all the areas of land use in the area, but focuses on some of the themes defined at the beginning of the planning process. In phase zoning, only new or changing zoning entries are presented on the zoning map, and outgoing zoning entries are presented over-ticked. The other entries in the final regional plans will remain unchanged. In this phase-region plan, the largest single entity is wind power and the related energy transmission, as well as the boundary conditions that limit them. Wind power and the energy transmission network are presented in a separate map appendix to the plan data (Appendix 1 to the report), which also presents the regionally significant wind power areas of the final phase 1 and phase 3 regional plan and their changes.

The aim of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is to draw up a phase-regional land use plan that enables more detailed planning, in which the regional entity is studied. The TV areas in the regional plan are markings describing the special characteristics of the sub-area, which do not, in principle, prevent other activities taking place in the area, and are not precise area boundaries, but markings enabling more detailed plant-specific planning. Regional Planning and Competence Division continue the planning work in cooperation with the feedback received, prepared regional reports (e.g. TUULI project and EMMI project), through collective bargaining and case-by-case reviews and impact assessments. Studies and impact assessments obtained during the EIA and zoning process of separate wind power projects will also be used to the extent necessary. The planning of the regional entity will continue through a synergistic impact assessment to prepare the planning documents for the public proposal phase. Based on the feedback and the survey data, a detailed description of each TV area that will be included in the plan map of the proposal phase will be prepared. It should be noted that some of the mitigation measures recorded in the destination cards of the TUULI project landscape survey are intended for steering project-specific planning on a wind turbine-specific level that is more detailed than in the regional plan. The general provision for wind power construction will be specified based on the liquidation situation in such a way that it guides more detailed planning based on the latest information.

the EMMI Project The work package 2 (Climate impact assessment for the entire life cycle of wind power construction, consideration of the climate impacts of solar power in cooperation with case examples) was approved by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 15 April 2024, as was the regional regional structural work (Regional structure to be achieved in Northern Ostrobothnia by 2050). A general study on Natura sites (6/2023-5/2024) has been carried out at the proposal stage of the regional land use plan, which examines the risks posed by wind power construction to Natura sites in Northern Ostrobothnia and the ecological network of protected areas outside Natura sites. The results of all the studies and a more detailed impact assessment based on them will lead to a public consultation on the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia in autumn 2024. In addition, it has been completed the regional Transport System Plan update in October 2024 (MKH 14.10.2024 § 161). Read the updated regional transport system plan for Northern Ostrobothnia here.

Public hearing of the proposal phase from 23 September to 24 October 2024 (section 65 of the MRL, section 12 of the MRA)

At its meeting, the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly discussed: 19.11.2024 (§ 185) a summary of the feedback received during the consultation of the public proposal and an exploratory discussion on the state of play. According to the original goal, the phase-regional land use plan was to be submitted to the approval process of the Regional Assembly in December 2024, but due to the extensive feedback, the necessary working negotiations and the need to specify the plan data, the approval of the plan will be postponed to spring 2025. The negotiations to be held in November-December 2024 and the legal assessments to be carried out on the basis of them will determine the appropriate way forward in cooperation with the regional plan.

The Regional Board of Northern Ostrobothnia examined the consultation material for the proposal phase of the energy and climate phase of the regional plan for Northern Ostrobothnia to be made available on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 (§ 145, the article was adopted at the meeting). The consultation period is from Monday 20 September to Thursday 24-20 September 2024. The members and participants of the county municipalities must be given the opportunity to present a reminder of the contents of the plan. Link to the alert, published on Friday 20 September 2024 in the following journals: Kaleva, Kalajoki Valley, Northeastern Sami and Raahe Region. 

The plan proposal was presented at an online event on Thursday 3 October 2024 at 17-18:30. Link to the recording and the material presented In PDF format. In addition, there will be: three schematic cafés: Monday 30 September at 5-7 pm, Haapavesi (City Hall, Tähtelänkuja 1); Tuesday 8.10. at 4-6 pm Pudasjärvi (Centre of Wellbeing Pirtti, Kurkisali, Varsitie 1) and Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 4-6 pm Oulu (Federal Office, Poratie 5 A, 3rd floor). The experts who prepared the plan are available to meet and answer the questions. Welcome to discuss!

The reminder must be submitted to the Regional Regional Assembly before the end of the visibility period (Thursday 24 October 2024 by 4 pm). It is not possible to give an extension to reminders in order to keep to the target schedule. Reminders who have provided their contact details must be informed of their reasoned opinion (response). If the feedback received during the consultation of the proposal stage (reminders) requires significant changes to the plan map or the plan markings and regulations in the decision-making process, the plan proposal must be made available for re-visiting (MRA Section 32).

The proposal phase of the Regional Land Use Plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia consists of the following documents (all dated 9 September 2024):

Participation and evaluation plan

International consultation autumn 2024 (MRL/AKL Chapter 26a)

The final documents of the international consultation were submitted to the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) on 27 November 2025 in Finnish and Swedish. SYKE will forward the Swedish translations to the Swedish Naturvårdsverket. Finalized documents can be found in the links below.

Norra Österbottens etapplandskapsplan för energi och klimat, internationellt hörande (26 a kapitel av Lag in områdesanvändning):

Regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia, international consultation (Chapter 26 of the Regional Use Act):


The summary of the feedback received from Sweden and the Finnish-language responses to it were approved by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 7 April 2025 (§ 43). Respondents translated into Swedish, Finnish and English summary and the approval section in Finnish and Swedish was submitted to the Finnish Environment Institute on 6 May 2025. In accordance in cooperation with the Land Use Act, responses approved by the Regional Board are sent only for information to the parties concerned. There is no right of rectification or appeal against these documents.

During the negotiations in cooperation with the authorities held in June 2024, it emerged from the intervention of the Ministry of the Environment that the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) requires an international consultation procedure in accordance in cooperation with Chapter 26a of the Land Use and Building Act due to possible environmental impacts on the Swedish State. SYKE has acted as the competent authority for the international consultation since the beginning of 2023, previously the responsible authority was the Ministry of the Environment. This procedure will be organised in parallel in cooperation with the public consultation on the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia in September-October 2024. This means that some of the planning documents will be translated into Swedish, and they will be submitted to SYKE together in cooperation with a request to initiate an international consultation procedure, which will handle contacts in cooperation with the Swedish environmental authorities and forward any feedback to the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region.

The consultation managed by SYKE is separate from the consultation included in the regional land use planning process. Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context The Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context. The request of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region for the launch of an international consultation procedure was submitted to SYKE on 23 September 2024, including material translated into Swedish on the Swedish state of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia and a summary in English of the purpose and legislative basis of the plan. The international consultation took place in Sweden from 27 September to 24 October 2024, in cooperation with the responsible authorities being the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and the Naturvårdsverket. The objections were approved by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 7 April 2025 (§ 43). Sweden's feedback did not result in any changes to the planning data.

The Swedish-language material of the international consultation can be found in the links below, and the feedback received is from the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 19.11.2024 the file attached to the meeting file. The material for the second public consultation on the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia was approved for inspection by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 10 February 2005. The feedback received (3.6.4 Feedback from the international consultation) and its consideration (3.6.5 Effects of the international consultation on the regional plan solution) have been opened in chapter 3.6 International consultation (AKL/MRL Chapter 26a, managed by SYKE). The responses to Sweden's feedback will be prepared before the approval process of the regional plan.

The steering effect of the regional plan for wind power

The regional plan forms a central starting point for the planning of regionally significant wind power projects. The goal of the plan is to steer the wind power construction as a whole and manage the impacts at the level of the whole region. In order to take into account the steering effect of the regional plan, the objectives, principles, criteria for defining the areas indicated in the plan and the planning provisions of the plan must be taken into account in the planning. Our cooperation goal is to get an overview of renewable energy projects in our region. It should be noted that, in some cases, even individual project areas that are smaller than their regional significance together in cooperation with nearby project areas form a significant regional entity, in which case individual project areas are more significant than their size. In more detailed project planning and general planning, the regional reports drawn up in connection in cooperation with the energy and climate phase regional plan for Northern Ostrobothnia and the mitigation measures presented therein shall be taken into account in the assessment of synergies.

The wind power areas designated in the regional plan are the primary locations for regional wind power areas. The regional land use plan has the character of a land use plan of a general nature; the demarcation of the wind power areas presented therein will be specified on the basis of the EIA procedure to be drawn up in connection in cooperation with the municipal planning and other impact assessments. Due to the flexibility of the regional plan, the municipal planning solution may differ from the TV area demarcations indicated in the regional plan on the basis of sufficient explanations. Project-specific studies that are more detailed than the regional plan, environmental impact assessment (EIA), including the assessment of synergistic effects, are decisive fstakeholders in this assessment. In practice, some of the wind turbines presented in the municipal plan may be located outside the TV area boundaries of the regional plan, provided that the difference has been demonstrated and justified in a more detailed plan by means of studies and impact assessments that are more detailed than the regional plan level. However, the wind power component master plan must not conflict in cooperation with the key objectives and principles of the regional plan, and the plan must not hamper the implementation of the regional plan.  

The television marking enabling regionally significant wind power in the regional plan is a marking that describes the special characteristic of the sub-area, i.e. in practice enables more detailed planning, not an exact area delimitation. In principle, the marking of a special characteristic does not prevent other activities in the area, but the different types of activities must be coordinated in more detailed planning in accordance in cooperation with the general provision for wind power construction. In practice, in municipal planning, the area is specified on the basis of more detailed, plant-specific studies. When preparing the impact assessment in a separate EIA procedure, one option is to examine the TV area according to the regional plan, which is compared in cooperation with other options, i.e. to obtain more detailed information on the effects of implementation. Below is a visual representation of the steering effect of the regional plan. The aim of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region is to draw up a phase-regional land use plan that enables more detailed planning, in which the regional entity is studied.

Figure 2: The steering effect of the regional plan on more detailed project planning of wind power.


Identification of risks to the Natura 2000 network the Phase regional land use planning

The risk assessment of the Natura 2000 network was complemented in the second phase of the public proposal (Naonto Pihlaja Oy, formerly Latvasilmu osk). The the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly took note of the update report and its appendices at its meeting on 10 February 2025. The supplementary study guided the planning solution for the new proposal phase together in cooperation with the feedback from the proposal phase and the new studies (national and project-specific studies). The update of the risk study followed the same methodology and classifications as described in detail in the first report. The conclusions of the update report contain a summary of the relationship between the new proposal of the phase-regional plan and the Nature Conservation Act (9/2023 Article 34 of the Non-Regression Act. The new plan solution does not significantly weaken the nature values on which the protection of areas belonging to the Natura 2000 network is based, so there is no obligation to carry out a Natura assessment under the Nature Conservation Act in cooperation with regard to this step-by-step regional plan.

The public material below In addition, an appendix 3 was drawn up for official use only, which the authorities can request through the Registry Office of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in cooperation with an obligation to fill in a confidentiality agreement.

A risk study extending from the Natura 2000 network to the entire region and 25 kilometres beyond the regional border was carried out on the data of the authority proposal phase of the Regional Land Use Plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia (section 13 of the MRA). A regional study does not remove the project-specific obligation to carry out a detailed Natura assessment if significant impacts are unlikely to be excluded. The Natura report was approved by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly in June (MKH 10.6.2024 § 107) after a round of comments from environmental authorities. The conclusions of the Natura risk analysis are presented in the data of the public proposal phase of the phase-regional plan in the land (tv-1) and sea (tv-2) descriptions, as well as by area in the Impact Assessment section of the site descriptions of wind power.

The risks to the Natura sites and Natura network of Northern Ostrobothnia arising from the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia were examined. There are a total of 344 Natura sites in the area affected by the regional plan. The areas of the surrounding regions and the Natura areas of marine areas in cooperation within 25 km of the regional border have been included in order to take into account possible impacts beyond the regional borders. Of the Natura sites under consideration, there are 323 SACs and 112 SPAs. There are 21 SPAs that are not also SACs. The SPAs are protected on the basis of bird species, the SAC is protected on the basis of their habitats and, to varying degrees, on the basis of non-bird species.

In addition to the risk assessment of the Natura 2000 network, the ecological entity of Northern Ostrobothnia has been examined, taking into account the Natura network, other key protected areas and other special natural areas. In the case of birds, these are also the main migration routes. The definition of the ecological network of Northern Ostrobothnia was produced, which is based on the protection criteria of Natura areas and the core areas of the habitats of many species and important groups of species sensitive to wind power production, as well as the essential connections between the core areas. The demarcation can be used to identify areas unsuitable for wind power production already in the pre-planning phases. In particular, the overall impacts on species in need of extensive habitats for wild forest reindeer and eagle have yet to be considered at population level. These species are sensitive to human activity and, in particular, to the effects of wind power.

The report was prepared by Latvasilmu osk. The work has been guided by a professional steering group consisting of experts from the Northern Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Metsähallitus Nature Services, Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Regional Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia and Latvasilmu. Grants have been granted for the preparation of the report from the Ministry of the Environment's external co-financing to promote investment projects in the green transition.

The public material below In addition, a risk assessment and maps of the eagle for official use only (Annex 10) were drawn up, which the authorities can request through the Registry Office of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in cooperation with an obligation to fill in a non-disclosure agreement.

As a whole, the effects of wind power projects that have already been carried out, including those that are smaller than regional ones, are so significant from the point of view of the Natura 2000 network that the functionality of the network must be safeguarded in the future by ensuring that the ecological connections of Natura 2000 areas are maintained. In order to safeguard the integrity of the Natura 2000 network, a demarcation of the ecological network was produced in cooperation with the aim of ensuring the conservation of species and the future development of a favourable population. In addition, more attention should be paid to the impact on the Natura site network and especially on the bird population in the planning and implementation of power lines.

Considering sensitive areas already in the planning and steering of the regional plan level is very important, enabling ecologically and socially sustainable wind power construction. Good and proactive guidance also saves the resources of stakeholders, investors and authorities, as the risks are known even before the actual start of projects. There are more than 40 wind power areas in the proposal phase of the Regional Land Use Plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia, which are not estimated to pose a risk to Natura sites.

Consultation round for the proposal phase 10 January-23 February 2024 and responses to feedback

The consultation on the proposal phase of the Regional Land Use Plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia was held from 10 January to 23 February 2024. Some contributors were granted an extension upon request and the last contributions were received in mid-March. A total of 55 authorities provided feedback, including 27 member municipalities. On 6 May 2024, the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly examined the summary of opinions and the responses to the opinions drawn up for the consultation of the authorities at the proposal stage (Paragraph 13 of the MRA). (§ 85, link to minutes). During the consultation period, feedback was also received from parties not included in the public consultation, such as wind power stakeholders and citizens. No responses will be given to these, but feedback will be reviewed as the planning progresses.
Direct links to the decision-making material of the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly:
Signed extract from the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly minutes, adopted at the meeting Compendium and responset and based on feedback updated participation and evaluation plan (30 April 2024).

The regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia has proceeded to the officials' opinion round at the proposal stage in accordance in cooperation with the Land Use and Building Decree (MRA, Section 13).
According to the legislation, an opinion must be requested on the regional land use plan proposal before it is made available for inspection:
1) the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment;
(2) the municipalities concerned;
3) the Regional Regional Assembly of the regions bordering the plan area;
4) other authorities and entities relevant to the regional land use plan, as appropriate;
5) the ministries concerned.

the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Board 19 December 2023 (§ 178) approved the proposal of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase for consultation in accordance in cooperation with Section 13 of the Land Use and Building Decree. The material presented to the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly can be found in PDF file format here.

As this consultation is not public, opinions were only sought from those included in the register of the Regulation. The statements were requested to be submitted by 23 February 2024 to the Registry Office of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region (kirjaamo(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi) in PDF and word format. Responses to the statements received are prepared and processed by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly. No responses are given to any incoming opinions on the plan data.

The dossier consisted of the following documents:

Preparatory hearing 8.8.-23.9.2022 and responses to feedback

Feedback-specific responses to the opinions and opinions received from the consultation on the preparation phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia have been prepared and approved as principles for the planning of the proposal phase in the meeting of the Regional Board that steers the planning work. Direct link to the minutes: MKH, 5 June 2023, § 90. In addition to the feedback-specific response, nine general thematic responses were prepared for the meeting, which are referred to in the responses to the individual feedbacks. The topics of the general respondents are: wind power, electricity grid, green environment and nature, cultural environment, transport, energy, other themes discussed, principles of land use planning, health impacts of wind power. Statements and opinions from the preparatory phase, general responses 1-9 and responses to feedback are attached to the minutes of the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly. The responses relate to the preparatory work for the case, so the decision is subject to a prohibition on appeal. Consultation on the preparation phase of the regional plan the feedback compilation was discussed preliminary in the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 13 February 2023, section 24. Under the Personal Data Act, the names and property codes of individuals who have submitted opinions have been removed from the public version of the response report, as well as the information disclosed as secret in the feedback. The responses were sent on 12 June 2023 from the Registry Office of the The Regional Regional Assembly for information to all those who received a request for an opinion and those whose e-mail address has been sent for information. An information session for the Regional Responsibility Committee was held on 29 May 2023, after the meeting, under the theme ‘Energy transition and land use planning in Northern Ostrobothnia’.

The draft plan was presented at an online event on 24 August 2022 from 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.. The presentation section was saved and can be accessed afterwards via the same link. There was an opportunity to ask questions during the event via the message wall. The presentation slideshow can be found here.

The experts who prepared the plan were available in schematic cafés from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.: Tue 30.8. Kuusamo (Kuusamotalo, Kaarlo Hänninen tie 2), Wed 7.9. Ylivieska (Cultural centre Acoustics, Koulukatu 2 B), Mon 12 September Raahe (Event house Raahe, Kirkkokatu 28), Tue 13.9. Whitefish (Municipal Hall, Pulkkilantie 4) and Wed 14 Sept Oulu (Federal Office, Poratie 5).

The preparatory phase consultation material was discussed: the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 21 June 2022. In accordance in cooperation with Section 62 of the Land Use and Building Act and Section 30 of the MRA, the Regional Board of Northern Ostrobothnia decided to make the preparatory material for the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia publicly available. Technical revisions have been made to the zoning data in accordance in cooperation with the decision. The draft regional plan for the energy and climate phase will be available from 8 August to 23 September 2022. The preparatory material is also available at the office of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region in Oulu at the same time at Poratie 5. The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region publishes alert centrally in its bulletins (Kalajokilaakso, 5 August 2022; Kaleva, Koillissanomat and Raahen Seutu 8.8.2022).

Participation and evaluation plan (the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly, 21 June 2022)

Draft map of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia 1:300 000 (the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly, 21 June 2022)

Explanations and regulations of regional plan entries (updated 8 August 2022, the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 21 June 2022, section 97)

KOpening report and Annex 2 (updated 8 August 2022, the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 21 June 2022, section 97)

Theme map / Wind power and electricity transmission in Northern Ostrobothnia (Annex 1 to the report, the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly, 21 June 2022)

Combination map (1:300 000, the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 21.6.2022, final regional land use plans for Northern Ostrobothnia and draft regional plan for the energy and climate phase)

The most significant background information can be found in: TUULI project website. The relationship between the location control model of the TUULI project and the regional plan was discussed the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly 23 May 2022.

The Regional Assembly of Oulu Region will ask the authorities and member municipalities for a possible written statement on the preparatory material during the consultation period from 8 August to 23 September 2022, and the participants in the plan will also have the opportunity to express their opinion on the draft plan. Written submissions should be sent by e-mail to kirjaamo@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi or to the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region, Poratie 5, 90140 Oulu. Feedback is requested to be sent to the Registry Office's e-mail in both text and PDF format.

Starting phase of the phase regional land use plan

The the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly discussed the initiation of zoning and the making available of the participation and assessment plan at its meeting on 11 October 2021 (§ 129). the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region Notice of Initiation centrally in its bulletins during week 42 (Kaleva, Kalajokilaakso, Koillissanomat, Raahen Seutu). Feedback and responses received during the OAS consultation were processed by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly on 14 March 2022 (§ 38) and delivered to the participants in the same week (Compendium of Responses).

The participation and evaluation plan concerning the objectives, content and interaction of the planning work was available 22.10.-3.12.2021 Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Regional Assembly, Poratie 5, 90140 Oulu and all municipalities in Northern Ostrobothnia. In addition, it is on the website of the Regional Regional Assembly of Northern Ostrobothnia throughout the planning process. The participants had the opportunity to express their views on the participation and evaluation plan during the consultation period and throughout the planning process by e-mail to: kirjaamo@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi or by post to the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. All statements were included in the case management programme of the Regional Assembly of Oulu Region. Feedback received during public consultations and responses to it will be processed by the the Board of the Regional Regional Assembly. The responses show how feedback is handled and how it affects the planning of the regional plan. The participation and assessment plan for the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia available from 22 October to 3 December 2021

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