Wind power has been one of the most notable success stories in advancing Finland’s energy and climate goals in recent years. Clean and domestic electricity production has helped lower electricity prices and increased energy self-sufficiency. As renewable energy grows, it creates opportunities to develop new industries in Finland. Wind power construction has also strengthened local economies across the country.
Currently, the minimum distance between wind turbines and residential areas is typically about 800–1000 meters and is determined based on impact assessments, taking into account guidelines and recommendations for noise and shadow flicker through highly precise modelling.
In the draft of the new Land Use and Building Act, sent for public consultation by the Ministry of the Environment, it is proposed that a fixed minimum distance be established between wind turbines and residential areas — unless the area is designated for wind power production in the regional land use plan. The draft suggests the minimum distance be eight times the total height of the wind turbine, which could increase the required distance to over two kilometers. This change would not apply to projects located within regional land use plan-designated wind power areas. It would also not affect projects that have reached at least the proposal stage in zoning, nor already constructed wind farms.
“In practice, this would mean that several planned projects would be ruled out, even if their environmental impact is minor and the municipalities support them. Finland already has some of the strictest noise and environmental requirements for wind power in Europe, so there is no justified, impact-based need for such a setback requirement. Regulation must remain consistent, impact-based, and respectful of municipal decision-making authority,” says Jussi Mäkinen, VP, Project Development at Ilmatar.
“Ilmatar’s wind power projects are mainly located in areas designated for wind power in regional plans, so the direct impact on us is limited. However, the change would significantly hinder the initiation of new projects, since nearly all designated areas are already zoned or ruled out due to other constraints. If this legislative amendment goes through, new wind projects would be pushed into increasingly remote areas, increasing the need to strengthen the transmission grid from the north to the south. This development is contrary to what would be ideal for both people and the environment,” Mäkinen notes.
Despite this, wind power projects have been among the most significant investments in Finland in the 2020s. To keep Finland attractive to investors, legislation must remain predictable. Fortunately, this is only a draft law currently under consultation, and there is still time to improve it,” Mäkinen adds.
Finland needs sufficient and affordable clean electricity production to support the electrification of industry and energy independence.
Suomen Uusiutuvat ry (Renewables Finland) has published a response to the Ministry’s draft of the revised land use and building act, which was released for public consultation on 16 May 2025. The association’s statement is available in Finnish.
