05.10.2022
The North is the New Black
The new Government of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia began its work at the end of November last year. The work list of the Provincial Government has been filled with the preparation of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase as well as interest representation work.
North Ostrobothnia plays a key role in Finland's transition towards energy self-sufficiency. The increased construction of wind power and Europe's only ready-made nuclear formula at Hanhikivi offer solutions on the way to energy self-sufficiency and electrification of society. Our region currently produces about 40 per cent of all wind power in Finland. The rapid increase in energy prices caused by Russia’s war of aggression has boosted the pace of decoupling from the fossil economy. Finland is planned to be electric self-sufficient from 2023 to 2024.
Increasing energy production brings with it new branches of industry, such as the hydrogen economy, where there are huge opportunities for northern Finland. The new regional plan will enable an increase in energy production, but at the same time it will create rules for the heated industry. The provincial government has prepared draftsmen especially for expropriation issues concerning transfer lines. Our will is that the energy that is produced in the province is also used here. Production must be socially acceptable.
Together with leading officials, the provincial government has put national lobbying and EU influence under a magnifying glass. In the future, the Regional Council will strengthen cooperation with the representatives of the Oulu constituency. We offer expert support even more closely to the representatives of the constituency and our county, and we convey the message of the different actors in the county to the representatives.
For the European Union, the members of the Provincial Government are networked in the work of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and its Baltic Sea Commission. CPMR is one of the most influential interest representation organisations in the Union. We will exchange information closely with the Brussels office of Eastern and Northern Finland and strengthen cooperation with MEPs.
The work carried out through the CPMR and its Baltic Sea Commission contributed greatly to reaching the core network line of European transport all the way to Northern Finland. The policy now accelerates the discussion on establishing a land connection to Sweden and the Norwegian side of Narvik harbour. A smooth road and rail connection would strengthen the prerequisites for the export industry and improve security of supply from ports to living Finland. A re-evaluation of the main road projects should now be carried out. Different transport route options and decentralisation of operations strengthen the whole of Finland.
The most important task of advocacy at European level is to influence the policies made in forest policy. Finland and other forested countries in Europe must be careful about the control of their own forest resources. Forests and the use of forests must remain within the national sphere of decision-making. Finnish forestry plays a key role in the transition from the fossil economy to the bioeconomy and the era of renewable raw materials.
We will strengthen the province's presence and communication in the capital and at EU tables.
Jussi Ylitalo, President of the Provincial Government
Writing is a publication the Forum24 5.10.2022
