Court annuls Huittinen wind farm plan over conflict of interest

The Administrative Court of Turku has overturned a partial master plan for wind power in Huittinen’s Taraskallio area, ruling that two decision-makers involved were disqualified due to a conflict of interest.

The Huittinen city council approved the plan in May 2025, allowing construction of up to four wind turbines, each up to 260 metres tall, near Highway 2 between Pori and Helsinki, about six kilometres from Huittinen’s centre.

Complainants argued that city board members Aila Hänninen (SDP) and Helena Manninen (Centre Party) should have been disqualified because they also served on the Huittinen church council. The local parish owns tens of hectares of land within the planned wind farm area and stands to benefit financially from the zoning.

The court agreed, finding that Hänninen and Manninen were conflicted and invalidating the decision. An appeal for leave to appeal may still be sought from the Supreme Administrative Court.

Similar rulings have previously nullified wind farm plans. In 2021, Pori’s Ahlaisten Lammi wind farm plan was overturned due to a conflicted city board member; the plan remains under review.