Metsähallitus changes wind power plans near Seitseminen national park after criticism

Finland’s state forest enterprise Metsähallitus has altered its plans for the Horholanperä wind farm on the border of Ikaalinen and Parkano following extensive public feedback, official statements, and nature surveys, Yle reports.

The new primary option places the turbines at least three kilometres from the western boundary of Seitseminen National Park, compared with an earlier proposal that put the closest turbine just 1.5 kilometres from the park. The planned maximum height of the turbines has also been reduced from 320 to 300 metres.

Petri Siuro, a Pirkanmaa regional councillor (Greens) and one of the park’s defenders, said the revised plan is not enough. “300 metres is still almost two Näsinneula towers stacked on top of each other,” he said, referring to Tampere’s landmark observation tower.

On Tuesday, a petition with more than 2,300 signatures was handed to Metsähallitus representatives, arguing the project would permanently damage one of southern Finland’s most significant natural areas. Environmentalists are particularly worried about the impact of turbine noise and flicker on the park’s forest reindeer, a population that has been successfully restored in the area.

Joni Lehto, project manager for the Horholanperä wind farm, stressed that the plans are still preliminary and that environmental impact assessments are ongoing. “The fact that we have increased the distance to Seitseminen is due to the opinions and feedback we have received,” Lehto said. He added that the company wants to implement a plan that does not harm the park’s recreational and natural values.

Siuro supports a second alternative that would place the nearest turbines about 7.5 kilometres from the park, on the other side of the Pohjanmaa railway line. That option would also be considerably smaller. “We cannot destroy the remaining samples of nature, i.e. protected areas, with green energy,” he said.

The environmental impact assessment and draft plan for Horholanperä are expected to be published in autumn. The final size and location of the wind farm will be decided after a long process, and the municipal councils of Ikaalinen and Parkano will have the final say. The first turbines could start generating power in the early 2030s at the earliest.