The effectiveness and development of the Maritime Spatial Plan in Finland – Case: offshore wind energy in the exclusive economic zone

The study, commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, examined the legal framework for the development of maritime spatial planning and mapped the views of authorities and stakeholders on the development needs of the planning. The rapidly changing context for maritime spatial planning was seen as a challenge, particularly in Finland’s exclusive economic zone, where pressures for wind energy development have increased. The mandatory nature of planning in the exclusive economic zone divided the interviewees. Interviews called for closer cooperation between ministries on maritime spatial planning issues and for more international planning cooperation.

Competition between offshore wind projects and competition between countries for green transition investments were identified as challenges for offshore planning. In addition, the lack of environmental information, rapid technological development and cross-cutting expectations of maritime spatial planning were also seen as challenges. On the one hand, plans should be predictable and create a long-term investment horizon, but on the other hand they should be able to adapt flexibly to developments in environmental knowledge, technologies, regulation and society.

One of the pain points for the effectiveness of planning was that different activities are treated equally in the Maritime Spatial Plan. However, this is not actually the case and certain activities were perceived to be of greater social importance. According to interviewees, this should be clearly reflected in the planning process. Equality between different activities tends to create unrealistic expectations of what activities can be located in each area. However, project authorisation procedures have to apply all mandatory regulations in parallel with maritime spatial planning, with the result that the area designated in the Maritime Spatial Plan for an offshore wind farm, for example, may not actually be suitable for the activity in question (taking into account, for example, other legislation).

The interviews revealed views for and against the mandatory nature of the Maritime Spatial Plan. On the one hand, mandatory status was seen as a solution to ensure predictability and to protect certain activities and natural values from offshore wind projects. On the other hand, however, the potential slowing down of the maritime spatial planning process and increasing information requirements were seen as a challenge. In addition, mandatory nature would require further consideration of the competences of the provincial federations with regard to the approval of plans. In addition, mandatory nature would raise a number of legal issues relating to competence, procedure and content of the plans.

The interviews also called for stronger cooperation between ministries to ensure more coherent sectoral plans and guidance on the use of the sea across different sectors. International cooperation on maritime spatial planning was also felt to be insufficient at present. Bilateral or joint planning fora between Mainland Finland, Sweden and Åland could be built to facilitate cooperation, not only by exchanging information and common understanding, but also by developing common approaches and coordinating plans.

The legal analysis of the study commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment was prepared by Niko Soininen. Juha-Pekka Turunen and Anni Kettunen were responsible for the stakeholder interviews and their analysis.

Read the study in Finnish:

Soininen, N., Turunen, J-P. ja Kettunen, A. (2024). Merialuesuunnitelman vaikuttavuus ja kehittäminen Suomessa : Tapausesimerkkinä talousvyöhykkeellä sijaitseva merituulivoima. Akordi Oy julkaisuja.

For more information:

Niko Soininen
Professor of Environmental Law
niko.soininen@uef.fi
p.050 437 6342

Juha-Pekka Turunen
juha-pekka@akordi.fi
p. 040 729 4842