Finland : Government to decide on the final implementers of offshore wind power later

The Government has wide discretion with regard to the rights of Finland's exclusive economic zone. Its position on research permits at this stage does not yet take a position or give the applicant priority to a possible future construction licence or other utilisation of the area.

The Government's consent to studies in individual research areas does not yet imply the granting of the right to invest or build to the recipient of a research licence, nor does it give priority to studies aimed at economic exploitation or a possible future construction licence for the areas in question. Furthermore, there are no factors that would prevent the Government from granting two separate, time-limited research permits for the same area of the exclusive economic zone.

The decision on the implementation of the offshore wind farm will be made later in the EEZ licensing process. The research permit does not prevent the Government from exercising its broad discretion and granting other rights in Chapter 3 of the Act on the Exclusive Economic Zone of Finland to the same area of the exclusive economic zone while the research permit is still in force.