Wind wire: Finnish opposition

Wind developer Suomen Merituuli is facing stubborn opposition from local people to its plans to build a large-scale offshore wind farm in the west coast archipelago outside Raseborg, Finland.

1 November 2009

Suomen Merituuli plans to erect 60 turbines rated at 3-5 MW each in an area covering 53 square kilometres off the south-west coast. The project, if built, would be the biggest wind farm in Finland. But a petition signed by 1,600 households was presented to Suomen Merituuli on September 1. The objections centre on the proposed wind farm's location, with local residents fearing that the venture will create an eyesore and reduce tourist visits to the region.