Most of the participants were forest owners with a long-standing connection to the area, its landscapes and land use – and many also had first-hand experience of wind power projects on their own land.
The aim of the visit was to provide an opportunity for open discussion about wind power, its impacts and how it can be reconciled with forestry. At the same time, we wanted to hear what genuinely concerns people.
Accountability, being present and approachable, is one of Ilmatar’s core values, and this is exactly what it means in practice: genuine presence. We do not only talk about projects – we meet people face to face in the municipalities where our projects are located, listen to their experiences and build trust together.
What was originally planned as a half-hour discussion eventually extended to an hour and a half. Questions ranged widely, from the geopolitical situation and fluctuations in the electricity market to wind turbine technology and blade icing. Project progress, the different phases of spatial planning, and the use of local contractors and services were of particular interest to the participants.
“It is essential that people have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss these topics face to face. That is when mutual understanding grows and many earlier assumptions become clearer,” say Marko Penttilä and Kiia Kanerva from Ilmatar’s project development team.
A present and approachable actor within the local community
The compatibility of forestry and wind power sparked lively discussion, but there was a clear shared view among the visitors: in practice, the two coexist well. One forest owner described having seen moose several times within a wind farm area – a concrete example that wind power does not automatically alter wildlife movement patterns.
