<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia is in force (MKH 18.8.2025 \u00a7 92)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In accordance with Section 93 of the Land Use and Building Decree, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia declares that: the Provincial Government, by decision of 18 August 2025 (<\/a>\u00a7 92<\/a> )<\/a> <\/strong>ordered the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of North Ostrobothnia to enter into force pursuant to section 201 of the Act on the Use of Territories before it has become legally valid.When it becomes effective, the regional plan for North Ostrobothnia repeals or amends the regional plan solutions for North Ostrobothnia as set out in the plan documents. On Friday 22.8.2025, the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 15 appeals against the decision of the provincial council of 27 May 2025 (\u00a7 5) were lodged with the Administrative Court of Northern Finland. On 19 September 2025, the Administrative Court submitted to the Registry of the Regional Council a request for an opinion addressed to the Provincial Government 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 provincial government considered the opinion on the complaints at its meeting on 17 November 2025 (\u00a7 152<\/a>). Direct link to the provincial government an extract from the minutes;<\/a>, which describes all administrative treatments of the planning process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Complaints drafted opinion<\/a> the attached documents were submitted to the Administrative Court of Northern Finland on 21 November 2025 (deadline 15 December 2025).\u00a0The Administrative Court forwarded the opinion of the Provincial Government 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 provincial government for an opinion on the counter-explanations, but they were submitted to the registry of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 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 of the Regional Council 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In accordance 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 town plan and when otherwise taking measures to organise the use of the areas.\u00a0The municipal plan may proceed to the approval procedure of the municipal council even if the provincial plan has been appealed against in respect of the areas concerned. There are four regional plans in force: the three phase-province plans and the Hanhikivi nuclear provincial plan that repealed the previous total provincial plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Announcement of entry into force<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The planning documents approved by the provincial council were published on 9 June 2025. appended to the minutes of the provincial council meeting of 27 May 2025<\/a>. The provincial council's approval decision is based on the Local Government Act. <\/a>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;<\/a>). An approval notice can be found here: here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Approved plan data for the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia (MKV 27.5.2025 \u00a7 5):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The provincial government decided at its meeting on 5 May 2025 (\u00a7 59<\/a>) propose the approval of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia to the provincial council. In the same closing article of the meeting, the Provincial Government approved the responses to the feedback received during the public consultation of the second proposal phase of the phase-provincial plan from 17 February to 21 March 2025 (Annex 1 to the item; direct link to the anonymised response compilation<\/a>). According to Section 65 of the Land Use Act, those who have submitted a reminder and provided their contact details in connection 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 of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. In accordance with the Act on the Use of Territories, responses approved by the Regional Government are sent only for information to the parties concerned. There is no right of rectification or appeal against this document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n the International Consultation<\/a> The summary of the feedback received from Sweden and the Finnish-language responses to it were approved by the Provincial Government on 7 April 2025 (\u00a7 43<\/a>). 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 with the Act on the Use of Territories, responses approved by the Regional Government are sent only for information to the parties concerned. There is no right of rectification or appeal against this document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its meeting, the provincial government discussed: 19.11.2024<\/a> 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-provincial plan was to be submitted to the approval process of the provincial council 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 operators in particular have actively communicated their hopes for an enabling regional plan. Efforts have been made to respond fully to these requests 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 with regard to the coordination of the conservation criteria for the Natura 2000 network and the wind farms designated in its vicinity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During November-December 2024, the employment negotiations and legal assessments conducted on the basis of the guidance given by the Provincial Government on 19 November 2024 ended up organising a new public consultation on the proposal phase. The provincial council was given a snapshot of the planning situation on 9 December 2024 (\u00a7 23<\/a>). 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, \u00a7 107). The data was submitted to the Provincial Government on 10 February 2025 (\u00a7 5<\/a>) together 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 Provincial Government on 5 May 2025 (\u00a7 59) and the Government submitted the sub-regional plan to the council for approval. The regional council met on 27 May 2025 and the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia was approved (\u00a7 5). The target schedule for the phase county plan is presented in the chart below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figure 1. Target schedule for the phase county plan (27.11.2025). The Provincial Government reminder responses to the first public proposal phase;<\/a> and the updated Natura 2000 Risk Survey<\/a> and the documents of the new draft plan to be made available for inspection on 10 February 2025 (\u00a7 5<\/a>). Compilation of responses <\/a>forwarded for information to the reminders in accordance with the contact details provided to the Registry.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After the approval of the provincial government's minutes, the planning material was published on Friday, 14 February 2025. Factsheet <\/a>and alert <\/a>has been submitted to the registries of the member municipalities on 12 February 2025 to be placed on the official notification channel of the municipality for the period from 17 February to 21 March 2025. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 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.<\/strong> Participants have the opportunity to submit a reminder of the content of the formula during the consultation period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the target schedule, the provincial council will discuss the approval of the phase-provincial 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<\/a>) 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. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In accordance with the Act on the Use of Territories (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. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Written submissions should be sent by e-mail to: kirjaamo@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi<\/strong><\/a> or to: Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia, Poratie 5 A, 90140 Oulu.<\/strong> Feedback is requested to be sent to the Registry's e-mail in both text and PDF format.<\/strong> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The second phase of the provincial plan for the energy and climate phase of North Ostrobothnia consists of the following documents (provincial government 10.2.2025 \u00a7 5):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 <\/a>They were answered after the presentation. The presentation was recorded, a link to the event can be found this<\/a><\/strong> and the presentation slides of the online event are: this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, during the consultation period: two schematic caf\u00e9s: Wednesday 19 February K\u00e4rs\u00e4m\u00e4ki<\/strong> (Haapaj\u00e4rventie 1, 2nd floor) and Thursday 20 February City of Oulu <\/strong>(Federal Office, Poratie 5 A, 3rd floor). Experts who have prepared the plan can be found from 3 pm to 5 pm<\/strong>, and answer questions. Welcome to discuss! North Ostrobothnia is the leading wind power region in Finland, 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 with the process of drawing up the regional plan. 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: North Ostrobothnia wants to continue to be at the forefront of the energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>), the legal provisions remained unchanged. The content of the Act on Territorial Use is still in preparation, with the aim of bringing the new Act into force on 1 January 2026.<\/em> According to the Act on Territorial Use, a regional plan can be drawn up in stages (\u00a7 27 of the AKL\/MRL). This means that the provincial 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.<\/strong> In this phase-province 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.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n At its meeting, the provincial government discussed: 19.11.2024<\/a> (\u00a7 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-provincial plan was to be submitted to the approval process of the provincial council 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 with the regional plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Regional Government of Northern Ostrobothnia examined the consultation material for the proposal phase of the energy and climate phase of the regional plan for North Ostrobothnia to be made available on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 (\u00a7 145<\/a>, 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<\/a>, published on Friday 20 September 2024 in the following journals: Kaleva, Kalajoki Valley, Northeastern Sami and Raahe Region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The plan proposal was presented at an online event on Thursday 3 October 2024 at 17-18:30<\/strong>. Link to the recording<\/a> and the material presented In PDF format<\/a>.<\/strong> In addition, there will be: three schematic caf\u00e9s: Monday 30 September at 5-7 pm, Haapavesi <\/strong>(City Hall, T\u00e4htel\u00e4nkuja 1); Tuesday 8.10. at 4-6 pm Pudasj\u00e4rvi <\/strong>(Centre of Wellbeing Pirtti, Kurkisali, Varsitie 1) and Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 4-6 pm Oulu<\/strong> (Federal Office, Poratie 5 A, 3rd floor). The experts who prepared the formula are available to meet and answer the questions. Welcome to discuss! Participation and evaluation plan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 Naturv\u00e5rdsverket. Finalized documents can be found in the links below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Norra \u00d6sterbottens etapplandskapsplan f\u00f6r energi och klimat, internationellt h\u00f6rande (26 a kapitel av Lag in omr\u00e5desanv\u00e4ndning):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia, international consultation (Chapter 26 of the Regional Use Act):<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the negotiations 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 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 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 with a request to initiate an international consultation procedure, which will handle contacts with the Swedish environmental authorities and forward any feedback to the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The consultation managed by SYKE is separate from the consultation included in the provincial planning process<\/strong>. Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context<\/a> The Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context. The request of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia 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, with the responsible authorities being the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and the Naturv\u00e5rdsverket. The objections were approved by the Provincial Government on 7 April 2025 (\u00a7 43<\/a>). Sweden's feedback did not result in any changes to the planning data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Swedish-language material of the international consultation can be found in the links below, and the feedback received is from the Provincial Government 19.11.2024<\/a> the file attached to the meeting file. <\/strong>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 Provincial Government 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 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 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The wind power areas designated in the regional plan are the primary locations for regional wind power areas. The provincial 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 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 factors 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 with the key objectives and principles of the regional plan, and the plan must not hamper the implementation of the regional plan.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/strong>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 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 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.\u00a0The aim of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is to draw up a phase-provincial plan that enables more detailed planning, in which the regional entity is studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figure 2: The steering effect of the regional plan on more detailed project planning of wind power. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The risk assessment of the Natura 2000 network was complemented in the second phase of the public proposal<\/strong> (Naonto Pihlaja Oy, formerly Latvasilmu osk). The Provincial Government 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 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<\/a> 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 with regard to this step-by-step regional plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The public material below<\/strong> In addition, an appendix 3 was drawn up for official use only, which the authorities can request through the registry of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia with an obligation to fill in a confidentiality agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A risk study extending from the Natura 2000 network to the entire province and 25 kilometres beyond the provincial border was carried out on the data of the authority proposal phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia (section 13 of the MRA).<\/strong> A provincial 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 Provincial Government in June (MKH 10.6.2024 \u00a7 107<\/a>) 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 report was prepared by Latvasilmu osk. The work has been guided by a professional steering group consisting of experts from the North Ostrobothnia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment, Mets\u00e4hallitus Nature Services, Natural Resources Institute Finland, the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia and Latvasilmu. Grants have been granted for the preparation of the report from the Ministry of the Environment's co-financing to promote investment projects in the green transition. 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 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. The consultation on the proposal phase of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia was held from 10 January to 23 February 2024.<\/strong> 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 Provincial Government 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).<\/strong> (\u00a7 85, link to minutes<\/a>). During the consultation period, feedback was also received from parties not included in the public consultation, such as wind power operators and citizens. No responses will be given to these, but feedback will be reviewed as the planning progresses. The regional plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia has proceeded to the public authorities' opinion round at the proposal stage in accordance with the Land Use and Building Decree (MRA, Section 13).<\/strong> 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 government that steers the planning work. Direct link to the minutes: MKH, 5 June 2023, \u00a7 90<\/a>. <\/strong>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 Provincial Government. 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 Provincial Government on 13 February 2023, section 24<\/a>. 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 of the Federation 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 \u2018Energy transition and land use planning in Northern Ostrobothnia\u2019. The experts who prepared the plan were available in schematic caf\u00e9s from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.: Tue 30.8. Kuusamo<\/strong> (Kuusamotalo, Kaarlo H\u00e4nninen tie 2), Wed 7.9. Ylivieska<\/strong> (Cultural centre Acoustics, Koulukatu 2 B), Mon 12 September Raahe<\/strong> (Event house Raahe, Kirkkokatu 28), Tue 13.9. Whitefish<\/strong> (Municipal Hall, Pulkkilantie 4) and Wed 14 Sept Oulu<\/strong> (Federal Office, Poratie 5). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The preparatory phase consultation material was discussed: the Provincial Government 21 June 2022<\/a>. In accordance with Section 62 of the Land Use and Building Act and Section 30 of the MRA, the Regional Government 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 with the decision. The draft regional plan for the energy and climate phase will be available from 8 August to 23 September 2022<\/strong>. The preparatory material is also available at the office of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia in Oulu at the same time at Poratie 5. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia publishes alert <\/a>centrally in its bulletins (Kalajokilaakso, 5 August 2022; Kaleva, Koillissanomat and Raahen Seutu 8.8.2022).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participation and evaluation plan (provincial government, 21 June 2022)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Draft map of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia 1:300 000 (provincial government, 21 June 2022)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe phase county plan was approved by the provincial council on 27 May 2025 (\u00a7 5)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nProgress of phase county planning<\/strong>, the approval process will be postponed to spring 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Re-examination of the draft plan from 17 February to 21 March 2025 (\u00a7 65 of the AKL\/MRL, \u00a7 13 of the MRA, \u00a7 32 of the MRA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n
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Background to the phase county plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The aim of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is to draw up a phase-provincial 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.<\/strong> Regional Planning and Competence Division<\/a> continue the planning work with the feedback received, prepared provincial reports (e.g. TUULI project<\/a> and EMMI project<\/a>), 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.<\/strong> 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<\/a> The work package 2 (Climate impact assessment for the entire life cycle of wind power construction, consideration of the climate impacts of solar power with case examples) was approved by the Provincial Government on 15 April 2024, as was the provincial regional structural work (Regional structure to be achieved in Northern Ostrobothnia by 2050<\/a>). A general study on Natura sites (6\/2023-5\/2024) has been carried out at the proposal stage of the provincial 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 Provincial Transport System Plan<\/a> update in October 2024 (MKH 14.10.2024 \u00a7 161<\/a>). Read the updated provincial transport system plan for Northern Ostrobothnia here<\/a>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nPublic hearing of the proposal phase from 23 September to 24 October 2024 (section 65 of the MRL, section 12 of the MRA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The reminder must be submitted to the Regional Council 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.<\/strong> 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 plan for the energy and climate phase of Northern Ostrobothnia consists of the following documents (all dated 9 September 2024):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Formula map 1 A: New formula markings<\/a>
Formula map 1 B: Formula markings to be repealed<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\nInternational consultation autumn 2024 (MRL\/AKL Chapter 26a<\/a>)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The summary of the feedback received from Sweden and the Finnish-language responses to it were approved by the Provincial Government on 7 April 2025 (\u00a7 43<\/a>). Respondents translated into Swedish<\/a>, Finnish <\/a>and English summary<\/a> and the approval section in Finnish and Swedish was submitted to the Finnish Environment Institute on 6 May 2025. In accordance with the Act on the Use of Territories, responses approved by the Regional Government are sent only for information to the parties concerned. There is no right of rectification or appeal against these documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nThe steering effect of the regional plan for wind power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MAKA-ohjausvaikutus-tv-alueet-\u2013-10.2.2025-\u00a7-5-1-1024x576.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nIdentification of risks to the Natura 2000 network<\/strong> the Phase Provincial Planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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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 provinces and the Natura areas of marine areas within 25 km of the provincial border have been included in order to take into account possible impacts beyond the provincial 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public material below<\/strong> 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 of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia with an obligation to fill in a non-disclosure agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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 operators, 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 plan for the energy and climate phase in Northern Ostrobothnia, which are not estimated to pose a risk to Natura sites.
<\/p>\n\n\n\nConsultation round for the proposal phase 10 January-23 February 2024 and responses to feedback<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Direct links to the decision-making material of the provincial government:
Signed extract from the provincial government minutes<\/a>, adopted at the meeting Compendium and response<\/a>t and based on feedback updated participation and evaluation plan (30 April 2024)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the legislation, an opinion must be requested on the provincial 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 Council of the regions bordering the plan area;
4) other authorities and entities relevant to the provincial plan, as appropriate;
5) the ministries concerned.
the Northern Ostrobothnia Regional Government 19 December 2023 (\u00a7 178)<\/a> approved the proposal of the regional plan for the energy and climate phase for consultation in accordance with Section 13 of the Land Use and Building Decree. The material presented to the Provincial Government can be found in PDF file format here<\/a>.
As this consultation is not public, opinions were only sought from those included in the register of the Regulation. <\/strong>The statements were requested to be submitted by 23 February 2024 to the Registry of the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia (kirjaamo(at)pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi) in PDF and word format. Responses to the statements received are prepared and processed by the Provincial Government. No responses are given to any incoming opinions on the plan data.<\/strong>
The dossier consisted of the following documents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nPreparatory hearing 8.8.-23.9.2022<\/strong><\/strong> and responses to feedback <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The draft plan was presented at an online event on 24 August 2022 from 5 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.<\/a><\/strong>. 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.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n