The construction of new transmission lines and the expansion of old rights-of-way will inevitably affect natural areas and affect people when they take place close to settlements, impact on businesses and affect places used for leisure activities.
In the summer, biologists went out into the field to to plan the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure and nature surveys.
“EIA is a statutory procedure, and the survey of environmental impacts will ensure that every stakeholder in the project is involved in planning in order to minimise the potential harm. The opinions of local authorities and residents are of genuine help in planning the route,” says Satu Vuorikoski, Senior Expert in Environment and Corporate Responsibility at Fingrid.
Most of the Lake Line, which will be 305 kilometres in length, will be located alongside the existing transmission line. The route passes through a wide variety of types of terrain and natural sites.
Fourteen Natura surveys will be conducted, and statements from the authorities on antiquities indicate that archaeological inventories need to be taken. Entirely new rights-of-way will account for no more than approximately 12 kilometres.
The terrain surveys and general planning of the Vaala–Joroinen transmission line project will take place between 2021 and 2023. Construction will begin in 2023, and the project should be complete three years later.
The Rovaniemi–Vaala route will cross waterways
The transmission line route from Petäjäskoski in Rovaniemi to Nuojuankangas in Vaala is the transmission line that will underpin the Lake Line. It travels alongside the old line for about 105 kilometres and passes through approximately 168 kilometres of new terrain.
Fingrid’s Specialist Eeva Paitula, who is designing the route of the line, says that water crossings are an important part of the work.
“Bodies of water hold an important scenic value for many people. People live along the banks of rivers, and lots of people spend time on the water. In the north, the terrain is undulating, so the transmission line has a greater impact on the landscape that it would on flat land. However, there are only moderate elevation differences along the transmission line that is being assessed here.”
In addition, a route that bypasses the nature reserve has already been considered in the design at this stage.
Terrain surveys and general planning for the Rovaniemi–Vaala project will take place in 2022/2023, and construction will run from 2024 to 2027.
Read more about Fingrid’s construction projects.
