The working group set up by the Ministry of Justice is currently preparing a change in water law. As a result of the change, hydropower companies would be able to temporarily deviate from the permit conditions for the use of hydropower plants in the event of so -called exceptional disruptions, for example when an electric shortage threats.
According to the Ministry of Justice’s memo, the current procedure for reviewing water licenses is too slow to respond to sudden equilibrium or network disruption.
– The actions relate to the goal of the government program to strengthen the operating conditions of the adjustable hydropower that is important for the energy system and to improve the control of hydropower within the limits enabled by the Water Framework Directive, says a specialist Mari Pihalehto from the Ministry of Justice.
The law project shares opinions. For example, Kemijoki Oy, a hydropower company, considers preparedness justified, while the environmental organization fears that the disadvantages will increase.
In the preparation of the law change, it is not yet precisely defined how large or small the disruption should be in order to deviate from the permit conditions of the hydropower plant. However, according to the Ministry of Justice’s memorandum, “the need for a more extensive short -term regulations of an individual power plant may be activated very quickly in the event of several deviations at the same time”.
For example, the working group will determine whether, for example, a nuclear service downturn could be an exceptional situation for a disruption in the border lines.
For example On Tuesday, stock market electricity bounced to 70 cents per kilowatt hour. At that time, there was little wind power and the transmission of electricity was restricted in northern Sweden due to construction work.
The presentation is even dangerous
An expert in the environmental law of the Finnish Association for Nature Hannes Koljonen It considers the presentation very problematic, even dangerous to both the environment and for people. Koljonen himself is involved in the Ministry of Justice working group.
– Short -term control has been unauthorized for decades in Finland. In recent years, we have been particularly active in this and quite successfully.
For example, he refers to a case in which UPM applied for short -term control in Pielisjoki, but the Regional Government Office rejected the application on the basis of a reminder of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation. According to Koljonen, the power plants of Tainionkoski, Kemijoki Isohaara and Oulujoki are also examples of plants where short -term control is carried out.
Short -term control refers to the rapid variation of the power of the hydropower plant according to the demand for electricity, leading to rapid changes in water levels. According to Kolehmainen, this has caused both environmental and residents::
– Pier or gear may break down, and have even been life -threatening when the currents change unexpectedly. In the Oulujoki River, rapid control has caused severe erosion and damaged household water pipes, He says.
Who monitors the interests of the environment?
Koljonen emphasizes that there is a permit system because the environmental and safety effect can be assessed and, if necessary, obligations.
– If such exceptions are granted without a proper permit procedure, who will no longer oversee the interests of the environment and the residents, he asks.
According to Koljonen, the role of licenses should prefer not to strengthen and not try to get rid of them.
– Permits have been specifically made to determine the rules of the game, how to carry out activities harmful to the environment and people. The only weighty reason for this law change is money, not environmental protection.
The task of the Working Party is to find out how a temporary deviation from permit requirements could be allowed without compromising the obligations of environmental and EU legislation.
In 2022, the European Commission launched a violation of Finland against Finland, as the Finnish water management plans and action programs were not considered to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. The Commission has particularly pointed out the environmental impact of hydropower and the deficiencies in the licensing procedures.
– The law change may be directly contradicted with Union law. It is not the first time that the bill is undermined without consideration of international obligations, says Hannes Koljonen.
The water level varies daily
Director of Kemijoki Oy Sakari Pyhäjärvi emphasizes that hydropower is a critical form of energy for society, especially in the event of a disruption of the electrical system.
According to him, the Water Act already has the opportunity to deviate from the restrictions on permit conditions, for example in the case of flooding, but there is no exception to energy safety yet.
– I believe that the law project is specifically preparing for exceptional situations. I do not see that it is a way to increase production in everyday life or to use exceptions, for example as the price of electricity rises, Pyhäjärvi emphasizes.
Lake Pyhäjärvi admits that hydropower production causes water level variation in water bodies, which is also reflected daily on the Kemijoki River.
– We have the responsibility for the environmental impact and we do various treatment measures on the beaches. Collaboration with locals and information is everyday for us, he says.
