The Licensing and Supervisory Authority has rejected an administrative enforcement application seeking to terminate the short-term regulation practices at the Isohaara hydropower plant. The decision was issued on 12 May 2026.
In March 2025, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation’s Lapland District, the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation, and the Wild Salmon – Cooperation Network for Migratory Fish submitted an application demanding the cessation of short-term regulation at the Isohaara plant, arguing that the operations did not comply with permit conditions. According to the decision of the Licensing and Supervisory Authority, no permits or permit conditions have been violated.
According to the decision, short-term power regulation, i.e. adjustments to output within short timeframes, has been included in the plant’s construction permit. The associated variations in water levels and flow rates have been known to the permitting authority and have been addressed as part of the overall permitting framework for the hydropower plant.
“We have operated in accordance with our permits and the guidance of the authorities. We have now received clear confirmation of this from the Licensing and Supervisory Authority. We are satisfied with the decision,” says Jani Pulli, Managing Director of PVO-Vesivoima Oy.
Hydropower plays a vital role in ensuring security of electricity supply. It is the only form of power generation capable of balancing the electricity system across all timeframes, from seconds to years. Hydropower can be started, adjusted and stopped rapidly, supporting the overall stability of the electricity system.
Further information:
Jani Pulli, Managing Director, PVO-Vesivoima Oy, jani.pulli@pvo.fi, tel. +358 50 386 2680
PVO-Vesivoima Oy produces domestic, renewable and carbon dioxide-neutral electricity at its hydropower plants on the Iijoki, Kemijoki and Kokemäenjoki rivers, generating on average 1.8 terawatt hours per year. We are part of the Pohjolan Voima Group. The excellent flexibility of hydropower makes it a key balancing resource for the electricity system. It enables the growth of weather-dependent generation and, together with new solutions such as energy storage, helps ensure the functionality and security of supply of the electricity system.
www.pohjolanvoima.fi