Background
Ilmatar is planning two wind farms located close to each other in the northwest part of Paltamo. The Hukkalansalo project area, north of Vaarankylä, partially borders the municipality of Puolanka. The western Takiankangas area, north of Petäjälahti village, borders both the municipalities of Vaala and Puolanka. According to preliminary plans, the Takiankangas area is planned to have 31 turbines, and the Hukkalansalo area 19 turbines. The specific turbine placements will be determined during the land-use planning process based on the results of the environmental impact assessment.
Both project areas have received a favorable statement from the Finnish Defense Forces, allowing turbine tip heights up to 350 meters. Both areas have also obtained a favorable aviation obstacle assessment, indicating that the planned turbines do not impose any restrictions on civilian aviation.
The ecological surveys have monitored, among other things, bird migration routes, raptor territories, breeding sites of forest grouse and other breeding bird species during the summer. Vegetation and habitats have been mapped, and surveys for bats and flying squirrels have been conducted. Archaeological surveys have also been carried out in the areas of the planned wind farms and assessed transmission routes.
The environmental impact assessment program was available for public review from June to August 2022, and it was also presented at a public meeting held in Paltamo on June 15, 2022. The Regional State Administrative Agency of Kainuu acts as the coordinating authority for the assessment process. A total of 18 statements were submitted regarding the assessment program.
There were 17 opinions submitted, signed by a total of 51 individuals. The coordinating authority’s own statement highlighted key points from the opinions and statements. The coordinating authority emphasized the importance of considering various implementation options, including the assessment of transmission alternatives. The assessment particularly emphasized the evaluation of cumulative effects in relation to other wind power projects.
The required surveys related to the environmental impact assessment of the project have been conducted, and the assessment report will be submitted to the Regional State Administrative Agency. It will be made publicly available in June 2023. A public meeting regarding the assessment report will be held on a date to be announced in August 2023. The draft comprehensive plans for the areas will be made available for public review by the municipality of Paltamo in August 2023.
Ilmatar Paltamo Oy is responsible for the development and future operation of the Takiankangas and Hukkalansalo wind farms. The company is based in Paltamo.
The documents related to the environmental impact assessment of the Takiankangas and Hukkalansalo wind power projects can be found on the website of the Regional State Administrative Agency of Kainuu.
Documents related to the environmental impact assessment of the Takiankangas and the Hukkalansalo wind power projects are available on the Kainuu Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment website (in Finnish).
Lisätiedot
Ville Huovinen
Project Developer
+358 45 672 1192
[email protected]
Jussi Mäkinen
Head of Project Development
+358 40 576 1097
[email protected]