Lapua City Initiates Zoning for Lamminneva Wind Power Project
Fortum Oyj's initiative for zoning of the Lamminneva wind power project has been approved by the City of Lapua. The project's zoning process can now begin, with environmental impact assessments commencing concurrently.
The City Council of Lapua has approved Fortum Oyj's initiative to begin the zoning process for the Lamminneva wind power project. This approval allows the planning procedure to commence in Lapua, with the City Council of Seinäjoki set to review a similar proposal later in June. Concurrently, an environmental impact assessment procedure (EIA) for the project will be launched.
The proposed project area is situated in a commercial forest zone northwest of the Hirvijärvi reservoir, bordering the Rhu village of Lapua and Nurmo. In Seinäjoki, the Lamminneva project area will connect with the Isovuori wind power project located behind the Atria factory. Fortum has secured land leases primarily from local private forest owners for the project site.
Initial assessments suggest the area could accommodate 30 to 40 modern wind turbines, potentially generating up to one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. However, wind turbine construction typically occupies only 1-2% of the total project area, ensuring the majority of the land remains available for forestry.
The zoning and EIA processes will include public events starting in the autumn, providing opportunities for residents to learn about the project, provide feedback, and influence the plans. The complete zoning process is expected to continue until at least 2024. The project is driven by the increasing demand for renewable energy, supporting national and European climate objectives.