Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant

A pumped storage plant will boost Kemijärvi’s local economy

The Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant will bring new jobs already in the construction phase as well as permanent positions in the plant’s management and maintenance. The plant will also bring Kemijärvi millions of euros of income from real estate taxes, which will help to improve local and regional wellbeing. In addition, the pumped storage power plant enables new industrial investments and makes Finland – and Kemijärvi – more attractive to companies as an investment environment.

We are in close dialogue with our local and regional stakeholders and discuss the significance, implications and progress of the Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant project.

We have discussed the project and its environmental effects at several public events held in Kemijärvi. Throughout spring 2025, our regional manager and experts have been on-site in Kemijärvi weekly, addressing questions and concerns from local residents.

In October 2024, we conducted a resident survey, open to all who might be affected by our pumped storage power plant project. With the survey, we wanted to ensure that we were aware of and considered all essential aspects regarding the use of the area as well as any insights on the possible impacts of the project – even before the project’s environmental impacts had been fully assessed.

The pumped storage power plant at Ailangantunturi: Environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure

In March 2024, we begun the EIA procedure concerning the pumped storage power plant and power line planned to be established at Ailangantunturi. The procedure aims to reduce or fully prevent any adverse environmental impacts as well as improve everyone’s chances of receiving information about, taking part in and having an influence on the project. All parties affected by the project can participate in the EIA procedure.

We work in close cooperation with the authorities. Besides the statutory EIA procedure, we established a monitoring group for the project. This will ensure that our stakeholders are informed about the project and the progress of the EIA.

During spring 2024, we created an EIA programme for the pumped storage power plant and power line project at Ailangantunturi. The EIA programme provides a preliminary description of the present situation in the area, identifies the possible impacts of the project, and describes how the impacts will be assessed in more detail. In May 2024, we submitted the EIA programme to the Lapland ELY Centre, which acts as the coordinating authority.

We have now completed the assessment of the environmental impacts of the Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant and power line project during construction, operation, and after decommissioning. We assessed the project’s impacts on surface waters, fishing; fish stock and aquatic organisms; soil and bedrock, as well as groundwater; vegetation, birdlife and habitat types; other fauna; Natura and nature conservation areas; reindeer husbandry; local traffic, noise and vibration; climate; air quality; community structure and land use; landscape and cultural environment; and people and society.

We submitted the EIA report for the Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant and power line project to the Lapland ELY Centre in July 2025. The assessment report is available for public viewing, and opinions and statements can be submitted to the Lapland ELY Centre between 30 July and 26 September.

We will discuss the project and its environmental impacts at a public event open to all, held at Kemijärvi Cultural Centre on 1 September from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Additionally, we will host webinars where experts will present the assessment results. We will announce the dates of these events in advance on our website and in Koti-Lappi.

The EIA procedure is planned to be completed during the autumn of 2025. It will act as a basis for permitting at a later stage of the project.

According to the preliminary schedule, construction of the Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant could begin in 2029 at the earliest, with production commencing in 2032.