The Vaasa Administrative Court has issued its ruling on the amendment of fisher-ies obligations concerning the Iijoki and Kemijoki rivers. The case is based on ap-plications for amendments submitted by the Lapland Centre for Economic Devel-opment, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) in 2017, on which the Re-gional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland issued its decisions in 2024. The Vaasa Administrative Court has now issued its ruling on the appeals lodged against the Regional State Administrative Agency’s decisions.
“We will examine the rulings and their grounds in greater detail and, on that basis, assess any further action that may be required,” says Jani Pulli, Managing Director of PVO-Vesivoima.
“Hydropower is vital to the functioning of the electricity system and to security and reliability of electricity supply. The significant increase in weather-dependent electricity generation further highlights the need for hydropower to safeguard the operation of the electricity system,” says Pulli.
“We are committed to promoting the restoration of the natural life cycle of migratory fish through cooperation, and we will continue our extensive ongoing collaboration. We believe that hydropower generation and the restoration of migratory fish populations can be reconciled. The best outcome for migratory fish can be achieved through broad cooperation, using a diverse range of measures, proceeding step by step, making use of research findings and considering the development of the river as a whole.”
Long-term work to support migratory fish is being carried out on the Iijoki and Kemijoki rivers in cooperation with authorities, research institutes and other parties. This work includes developing upstream and downstream migration solutions and measures to support the recovery of migratory fish populations. On the Iijoki River, work is continuing to develop the assisted natural life cycle of migratory fish established through cooperation. At the lowermost power plant in Raasakka, experience is being gained from the Fishheart fish passage solution for upstream migration, while at the uppermost power plant in Haapakoski, experience is being gathered from Finland’s first downstream migration route for juvenile migratory fish. On the Kemijoki River, solutions are being sought to further develop the two existing fishways at Isohaara.
Further information
Jani Pulli
Managing Director, PVO-Vesivoima Oy
Tel. +358 50 386 2680
jani.pulli@pvo.fi
Pohjolan Voima is a long-lived Finnish energy company. We are one of Finland’s largest energy producers – our production accounts for approximately 20% of the nation’s total electricity production. The electricity we produce is almost completely carbon neutral. We produce electricity and heat at cost price for the needs of our owners – Finnish industrial and energy companies – with reliable and adjustable hydropower, thermal power and nuclear power that ensures security of supply. We are a team of top professionals and a proven good place to work. At Pohjolan Voima, we pride ourselves on doing meaningful work in line with our values, skilfully, reliably, together. As a responsible actor, we align security of supply, cost-efficiency and environmental impacts in our production. We are committed to the reduction of emissions and the improvement of biodiversity. Our objective is to create decisive power to strengthen competitiveness and contribute to a better tomorrow. www.pohjolanvoima.fi
PVO-Vesivoima Oy produces domestic, renewable and carbon-neutral electricity at its hydropower plants on the Iijoki, Kemijoki and Kokemäenjoki rivers, generating an average of 1.8 terawatt-hours per year. The company is part of the Pohjolan Voima Group. Hydropower’s excellent flexibility makes it a key resource for balancing the electricity system. Together with new solutions, it enables the growth of weather-dependent forms of electricity generation while helping to ensure the functioning and security of supply of the electricity system.