EIA Report for Ailangantunturi Pumped Storage Project Meets Regulatory Requirements

On July 8, 2026, Finland's supervisory authority issued its reasoned conclusion on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Ailangantunturi pumped storage hydropower project. The authority concluded that the EIA report fulfills the statutory content requirements and is adequate in quality.

The EIA report describes the significant environmental impacts arising from the Ailangantunturi pumped storage plant and the 400 kV transmission line to Pirttikoski. During the ongoing permitting phase, Kemijoki Oy will present concrete mitigation measures to address these impacts. Project Director Petri Vihavainen stated that the two-year EIA process was important for studying the project's impacts and engaging in valuable stakeholder dialogue.

"The feedback received helps us further refine the project design, and in our permit applications, we will take into account the significant environmental impacts on the hydrology and fish stocks of Lake Kemijärvi, the small water bodies of Ailangantunturi, birdlife, and vegetation," Vihavainen said.

The Ailangantunturi pumped storage project is a nationally significant energy project and one of Finland's largest energy storage solutions. It aims to strengthen the flexibility and security of supply of Finland's electricity system and increase opportunities for integrating renewable energy. The project also plays a role in improving Europe's energy security and self-sufficiency and in achieving climate goals.

The project has been granted Project of Common Interest (PCI) status by the European Commission. Kemijoki Oy emphasizes the importance of precise project planning from the outset to ensure that, if implemented, it benefits people and the climate locally, nationally, and more broadly.