07.06.2022
In Kiruna, Arctic infrastructure was discussed - investments in the north in an increasingly important part
At the turn of May-June, a conference on Arctic infrastructure was held in Kiruna to discuss the development prospects, investment needs and security of supply of infrastructure and business in northern Scandinavia and Finland. According to Jouni Jussinniemi, 1st Vice-Chairman of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, who participated in the meeting, there was a clear need for all parties to meet the development needs of the northern transport system at the Kiruna Conference.
The development of railways is essential in order to reduce transport emissions. This is how we respond to emission reductions, says Jussinniemi. From Finland's point of view, the climate perspective is important, but also due to the changed geopolitical situation, a smooth rail connection to Sweden and the Norwegian port of Narvik must be arranged. Jussinniemi emphasises that the railway will play a major role in Finland's security of supply in terms of exports and imports in the future. The related TEN-T funding needs to be secured in Finland, Sweden, Norway and at EU level.
In the national development of road and rail transport, the focus is increasingly on the north. The trans-European TEN-T network provides Finland with an important transport connection to northern Sweden and via Norway to the Atlantic, which is why the development of the entire network should be taken into account even more strongly in national investments. The electrification of the railway network and increasing the capacity of the transport network will become an important theme in achieving the emission targets for transport and promoting traffic safety. In the future, sustainable, electric air transport will also have the potential to grow into a transport connection in sparsely populated areas.
Jussinniemi emphasises that Northern Ostrobothnia must influence the funding of the transport system in its national lobbying, so that the TEN-T core network corridor receives funding outside the normal transport framework. Otherwise, there will be insufficient resources or the money for investments will be removed from the development and maintenance of the lower transport network.
If problems arise in the Baltic Sea, due to which imports and exports by sea do not work, the need for a double track to Tornio and its sufficient capacity to Norway will be emphasised. This is an important interest representation goal for the whole of Finland and the Northern Dimension, Jussinniemi continues.
The sustainability of the northern road network and the accessibility of the northern areas have been strongly emphasised by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In addition to security of supply and the achievement of service level targets, the outlook for the business sector in the northern regions highlights urgent investments to secure Finland's export industry and competitiveness. This is referred to by the Lapland Chamber of Commerce in the beginning of the year. explanation, according to which the investment potential of the Barents region reaches up to EUR 178 billion.
The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia promotes international cooperation in the Northern Region by acting in the European Union's CPMR organisation and in cooperation networks in the Barents region. The aim of the Borderless and Sustainable Future of the Bothnian Arc project, launched in autumn 2021, is to enhance cross-border transport system cooperation and promote the creation of a regional vision for the future of the TEN-T core network corridor in the Bothnian Arc.
Additional information:
Jouni Jussinniemi, 1st Vice-Chairman of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 40 168 5502
Lauri Romppainen, Regional Engineer, Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, tel. +358 40 685 4021
