Kotaselkä

The Kotaselkä area is planned to host up to 18 turbines, with a maximum swept height of 350 meters. The final planning outcome will be influenced by, among other factors, planning and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including studies, statements, opinions, and stakeholder discussions.

The Kotaselkä project has strong backing from landowners – a landowners’ negotiating committee has selected Ilmatar to develop the Kotaselkä wind power project.

An existing 2 x 110 kV power line runs through the project area, to which the Kotaselkä project will connect via a direct overhead line connection. No new overhead lines will need to be constructed.

The Kotaselkä project will utilize the same infrastructure as the neighboring Pahkakoski wind project, in accordance with national land use objectives.

Current Situation

The Kotaselkä project is currently undergoing a partial master planning process as well as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure under the EIA Act.

The project has received a favorable statement from the Defence Forces.

Planning

The partial master planning process began when the Oulu City Municipal Planning Board approved Ilmatar’s planning initiative in January 2022.

The Municipal Planning Board of Oulu approved the participation and evaluation plan (OAS) for the partial master plan and announced the commencement of the plan in September 2023. The participation and evaluation plan for the Kotaselkä wind project was available for public inspection from October 3 to November 1, 2023.

The draft plan for the Kotaselkä project is currently being prepared and will be available for public inspection in the summer or fall of 2025. A public meeting will also be held during the inspection period.

The plan proposal will be made available for inspection according to the preliminary schedule in late 2025. The City of Oulu’s city council is expected to make a decision on the approval of the plan in early 2026. Based on the plan, building permits will be applied for the project.

The Kotaselkä project has been removed from the second proposal of the Northern Ostrobothnia Energy and Climate Phase Regional Plan. Implementing the project as a larger-than-regional-scale project (more than 10 turbines) will require additional studies as specified by the regional plan.

EIA Procedure

The EIA procedure for the project is being managed by the Northern Ostrobothnia ELY Centre. The Environmental Impact Assessment Program (EIA Program) for the Kotaselkä wind project was available for public inspection from October 3 to November 1, 2023.

The Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA Report) is currently being prepared and will be available for inspection in the spring of 2025. A public meeting will be held during the inspection period.

Latest Updates

The EIA and planning processes have been separated due to changes in the regional planning situation. The EIA report for the Kotaselkä project will be available for public inspection in the spring of 2025.