Preparations for Metsähallitus’ Ebba offshore wind project progressed in February through two events that brought together coastal municipalities, fisheries representatives, local industries and other regional actors for open and constructive dialogue. The feedback and local knowledge gathered during these meetings will guide the continued planning of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure.
, The Finnish Supervisory Agency acting as the coordinating authority, will organize public events on the Ebba project’s EIA program in Pyhäjoki on 18 March and in Raahe on 19 March. The events will also present the participation and assessment schemes prepared by the municipalities of Pyhäjoki and Raahe for their partial master plans.
Information regarding the consultation period and the public events will be published on the municipalities’ websites and at Merituulivoimahanke Ebba, Pyhäjoki, Raahe (ymparisto.fi) starting 11 March.
Evening session with Pyhäjoki and Raahe on 11 February
An evening session for the councilors of Pyhäjoki and Raahe was held on 11 February in Raahe. The atmosphere was positive and the discussion was lively. The event covered current themes related to the project and presented the content and schedule of the EIA program. Sitowise, the EIA consultant introduced the baseline studies already completed as well as the environmental surveys planned for the project area. A total of 57 councilors participated.
Participants were also able to explore the project using VR headsets and an offshore wind simulation game, which sparked numerous questions and active discussion.
Cooperation group meeting on 12 February
The first meeting of the cooperation group focused on the progress of the EIA procedure and ongoing data collection. The group brought together a broad range of regional stakeholders, including representatives from municipalities, authorities, fisheries, nature conservation, local industries, and volunteer organizations. In total, 29 people took part, 11 of whom joined remotely.
Key themes highlighted in the discussions included:
- the need for dialogue and broad participation
- questions related to the marine environment and environmental impacts
- the importance of tourism and landscape considerations
- the use of fishers’ local knowledge in EIA studies
Representatives from Kalajoki raised concerns about the visual impacts of offshore turbines and their potential effects on tourism growth. Fishers emphasized their willingness to cooperate and provided detailed information on research sites within the project area.
“February’s events demonstrated how essential open dialogue is in preparing the Ebba project. We received valuable local insights that help ensure the EIA studies focus on the right questions. Our aim is to advance the project in close cooperation with coastal municipalities, local industries and residents,” says Sami Piippo, Project Director at Metsähallitus.
EIA and zoning processes proceed in parallel – participation and assessment schemes to be published
The zoning process and the EIA procedure will advance in parallel but remain separate: the EIA provides impact information, while the participation and assessment scheme (PAS) guides the zoning process. The municipal PAS documents will be presented to the Pyhäjoki municipal board and the Raahe development committee. Once approved, the documents will be made publicly available.
The open EIA events in Pyhäjoki and Raahe in March will present both the EIA program and the PAS, giving residents a comprehensive overview of the project’s progress.
Zoning is the responsibility of the municipalities of Pyhäjoki and Raahe. The EIA report and draft zoning plans will be prepared in parallel and are expected to be presented to the public in 2027, at which time new public events will also be organized.
More information on the Ebba offshore wind project is available on our website:
Ebba Offshore Wind Project, Pyhäjoki/Raahe | Metsähallitus (metsa.fi)
Contact
Sami Piippo, Project Director, Ebba Offshore Wind Project
Tel. +358 40 587 5428