The Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland has issued its decision on the change applications submitted by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment for Lapland in 2017 regarding stocking and fish stock management obligations in the Iijoki and Kemijoki rivers.
“It is positive that the Regional State Administrative Agency did not accept the requests included in the stocking and fish stock management change application as such. Hydropower is vital for the functioning of the electrical power system and the security of supply of electricity. The increase in weather-dependent electricity production further emphasises the need for balancing power to safeguard the operation of the electricity system,” Pulli says.
“We are committed to collaborating to promote the restoration of the natural migration patterns of fish, and despite everything, we will continue our ongoing extensive cooperation for the benefit of migratory fish in the Iijoki river. In our opinion, hydropower production and the restoration of migratory fish can be reconciled. The best outcome for migratory fish will be achieved through extensive cooperation utilising a variety of means and research results, a step-by-step approach, and a holistic view of the river’s development.”
In the Iijoki river, the common vision of the different parties involved is first to build the best possible fishway for the lowermost power plant at Raasakka and then a downstream migration solution at the uppermost power plant at Haapakoski. The downstream migration route has already been completed, and data on the use of the Fishheart fishway solution will be obtained from Raasakka. With these measures, the assisted natural migration of migratory fish in the Iijoki river has already started. The aim is to establish a migratory fish stock imprinted in the middle and upper parts of the river. Testing the performance of the upstream and downstream migration solutions will provide valuable experience and research data for the construction of subsequent bypass routes. Furthermore, the stocking of roe and smolt, as well as fish transport, will support the development of the fish stock. In Kemijoki, at Isohaara, there already exist two fishways, and solutions are sought to improve their operation.
Additional information: Jani Pulli, Managing Director, PVO-Vesivoima Oy, tel. +358 50 386 2680, jani.pulli@pvo.fi
Pohjolan Voima is a well-established Finnish energy company. We are one of Finland’s largest energy producers – our production accounts for more than 20% of the nation’s total electricity production. The electricity we produce is almost completely carbon neutral. We use controlled hydroelectric, thermal and nuclear power to produce energy at cost price for our owners and Finnish industrial and energy companies. We are a team of top professionals and are proven as one of Finland’s most inspiring workplaces. At Pohjolan Voima, we pride ourselves on doing meaningful work in line with our values of skilfully, reliably, together. We are committed to carbon neutrality 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 electricity at its hydropower plants on the Iijoki, Kemijoki and Kokemäenjoki rivers. On average, the company produces 1.7 TWh of electricity annually. The company is part of the Pohjolan Voima Group.