Finland Times

 

Matti Henttunen. FTimes Photo.

A Rovaniemi business plans implementing the city’s first-ever green energy project to generate pollution-free hydraulic power.

 

Under the pilot project named Free Green Power (FGP), Kunnes Oy aims to set up a plant on the River Kemijoki at an estimated cost of EUR 200,500. The company hopes the project could be scaled up after it attains commercial viability.

 

The company is scheduled to meet Rovaniemen Energia this month to discuss details of the project. Among other things, the project outline and a final draft are on the meeting agenda, said Kunnes Oy sources. 

 

“I see commercial viability of the project as we will use water to generate power which is expected to be cheaper than the wind power,” said Kunnes Oy owner Matti Henttunen.

 

Matti said he had thought about a green energy project in Rovaniemi for five years and then decided to go ahead with this one. “As the project will be environment-friendly and can be implemented at a lower cost, I think people from all strata including the environmental organisations will welcome it,” said Matti, pointing out that the river water, which remains useless, will be utilised for the project.

 

Terming many places in Lapland suitable for green energy generation, Matti said initially a plant could be installed under the Candle Bridge on River Kemijoki, where more plants could be set up later.

 

Matti drew attention of the authorities to various positive aspects of the project and sought necessary supports to make his dream come true.