25.04.2022
Decisions of the provincial government
The provincial government held a hybrid meeting on Monday, 25 April 2022. During the meeting, a lively referral discussion was held on the TUULI project's location management model and its connection to the regional plan for the energy and climate phase, as well as on the investment programme for the state transport network for 2023-2030.
TUULI project's location control model identifies potential wind power areas
The TUULI project of the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia produces new information on the suitability of the North Ostrobothnia region for wind power production and seeks solutions for solving environmental issues in the sector. In March 2022, a total of 408 power plants with a total capacity of 1482 MW were built in Northern Ostrobothnia. There are approximately 2658 MW of licensed wind power in the region. More than 6,000 MW of additional capacity is planned for the ongoing wind power plans. Based on the results of the electricity transmission survey of the TUULI project, the ongoing projects can mainly be connected to an existing or planned electricity network. The location control model has identified areas suitable for wind power construction and defined areas that are potential future wind power areas. As a result of the geospatial analysis, 251 regions were created, of which 10 are located in marine areas and 241 on land. The boundaries of the areas of the location control model will be specified in the regional plan and later in possible more detailed planning. The results of the TUULI project studies and the location control model are the starting points for wind power control presented in the regional plan map and other planning documents.
The investment programme for the fairway network ignores Northern Finland
As part of the implementation of the National Transport System Plan, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency has drawn up an investment programme for the cross-border transport network, which is updated annually before the preparation of the next year's budget. The programme includes major development projects, major renovation projects and project packages, as well as smaller improvement projects. During the discussion, it was emphasised that the programme completely ignores the needs of the entire population and business life in northern Finland. Significant business investments are ongoing and ongoing in Northern Finland and this must be strongly reflected in the investment programme for the fairway network. The strong transformation related to the energy economy requires immediate investments in the fairway infrastructure in Northern Ostrobothnia and Northern Finland. In addition, the programme does not implement the Union's transport policy objectives for Northern Finland. Finland's 12-year plan and fairway funding should be seen as a seamless part of the development of TEN-T networks.
Other issues
- Interest representation issues raised: Situation of Karelia CBC and Partnerships for Regional Innovation pilot application.
- The election of the Chief Planning Officer was confirmed. Markus Erkkilä took up the position of Director of Design on 25 April 2022.
- Ilpo Tapaninen's job title was changed to Strategy Manager.
- Invoice approvers were accepted.
- The agreement to assemble the tasks for the follow-up of the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme in Northern Ostrobothnia was approved.
- In order to carry out the above-mentioned tasks, a lawyer's post was created.
- The provincial government decides to suspend the procurement of the Jems software “Installation, hosting and support of Jems – Joint electronic monitoring”. The procurement was linked to the implementation of the Interreg NEXT programmes.
- The final report on the introduction of Tiera services was approved.
- The cooperation between the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia and the youth councils of the North Ostrobothnia Welfare Area will be investigated.
- Eva Pongracz was appointed as the representative of the University of Oulu and Arja Rautio as his personal deputy to the Advisory Board for Climate Work in Northern Ostrobothnia.
- The meeting schedule of the Provincial Government was decided during the autumn 2022 season.
- Hanna Honkamäkilä, Head of International Affairs, presented the coordination of tourism in the Baltic Sea Strategy.
Additional information
Jussi Ylitalo, President of the the Board of the Regional Assembly, tel. +358 45 160 6466
