Work package 3e: Landscaping survey
Background
The region of Northern Ostrobothnia is large and the landscape conditions vary greatly. The southern part is dominated by arable plains, which, through Suomenselkä, take place in the highlands of Koillismaa. Northern Ostrobothnia is also Finland's most significant wind power production area, and interest in further construction of wind power has remained high. There are 43 wind farms (01/23) in the region of Nykä in cooperation with an average height of 200 metres. However, the power plants of the future can reach up to 300-350 metres, so the impact on the landscape will inevitably increase very significantly.
The aim of the landscape impact assessment is to determine the resilience of the nationally and regionally valuable landscape areas and cultural environment of Northern Ostrobothnia to the impacts caused by regionally significant wind power construction, to illustrate the significant impacts, to assess the significance of the impacts that may arise, and to present measures to prevent significant negative impacts that are needed at the proposal stage of the regional plan.
Materials and methods
The background data used for the review are the legally valid phase 1, 2 and 3 regional plans of Northern Ostrobothnia and the background data on TV-1 areas, cultural environment and landscape values contained therein. The most important datasets are Northern Ostrobothnia, the VAMA 2021 survey on nationally valuable landscape areas, and the updating and supplementary inventory of nationally and regionally valuable landscape areas in Northern Ostrobothnia 2013-2015 (Valueful landscape areas in Northern Ostrobothnia). In addition, nationally and regionally significant built cultural environment and traditional landscapes are taken into account. The study also utilises the material of the TUULI project and the areas of wind turbines (tv-1 and tv-3) that have been identified during the drafting phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia. The combined effects of the regions, including the TV-1 areas of the 1st and 3rd phase regional plans, will also be taken into account in the review.
The report is prepared by Sweco. The landscape survey will be completed in April 2023.
