Fingrid presents the draft assessment report for the Keminmaa - Petäjäskoski 400 kV transmission line in public events

Fingrid Oyj, which is responsible for the main electricity transmission grid in Finland, launched an environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure for the new 400 kilovolt (kV) transmission line route from the Keminmaa substation to the substation situated in conjunction with the Petäjäskoski hydropower station last spring. Fingrid will present the draft assessment report drawn up of the project in public events arranged in Rovaniemi, Tervola and Keminmaa.
The Electricity Market Act obliges Fingrid to develop the main grid. The planned transmission line will improve the ability of the grid to withstand various types of faults and increase the electricity transmission options. Electricity consumption prognoses suggest that electricity consumption will continue to grow in Southern Lapland. The route options of the transmission line are located within Rovaniemi, Tervola and Keminmaa. The length of the new transmission line is approx. 60 kilometres.

The transmission line has two main route alternatives. Alternative A (VE A) is situated west of the river Kemijoki parallel to the existing transmission lines of Kuikero - Varevaara and Kinnula - Petäjäskoski. Approximately half of this line route will be located in a new right-of-way. Alternative B (VE B) is situated east of the river Kemijoki, travelling partly on the same route as the former Taivalkoski - Jumisko 110 kilovolt line.

The EIA process was launched last spring by the preparation of an assessment programme. The Regional Environment Centre gave its statement on the programme on 30 November 2005.The draft assessment report now completed presents technical solutions for the transmission line and environmental assessments of the line. The draft assessment report will be presented to the public in events arranged by Fingrid. After these events, the assessment report will be finalised and delivered to the Regional Environment Centre of Lapland, which serves as the contact authority. The Environment Centre will display the report for public inspection in the municipalities affected by the project and announce its display in local newspapers.

Fingrid’s events will present the technical solutions of the transmission line and the estimated impacts of the project on people’s living conditions, environment, scenery and land use. The public can get to know the plans and present their views and opinions. Fingrid’s representatives and a consultant responsible for the updating of the environmental impact assessment will be present in the events.

Public events:

Rovaniemi: Wednesday 25 January 2006 at 17.00 - 19.00
Auditorium of Muurola school, Koulukaari 3, 97140 Muurola

Tervola: Thursday 26 January 2006 at 12.00 - 13.30
Municipal Hall, Council Room, Keskustie 81, 95300 Tervola

Keminmaa: Thursday 26 January 2006 at 15.15 - 17.00
Municipal Hall, Council Room, Kunnantie 3, 94400 Keminmaa

Internet pages of the project (in Finnish only): www.fingrid.fi (Ympäristö ja voimajohdot => YVA-menettelyt).

Further information:
Jorma Sintonen, Senior Specialist, +358 (0)30 395 5170 or +358 (0)40 500 3846
Sami Kuitunen, Head of Environmental Unit,  +358 (0)30 395 5220 or +358 (0)40 519 5008