A 1,500-kilometer hydrogen pipeline to Finland that will affect thousands – Landowners were worried

It is planned to build a gigantic hydrogen transmission pipeline in Finland, stretching from Uusimaa to Meri-Lappi up to Tornio, with the help of which we want to raise Finland to a leading position in the European hydrogen economy. With the help of hydrogen, we want to help the transition away from fossil fuels and energy self-sufficiency. The background of the massive hydrogen pipeline project is the Government’s decision in principle.

The state-owned gas network company currently planning the hydrogen pipeline Gasgridin according to the drawings, the pipe with a diameter of about one meter starts from Tornionjokivarri north of Tornio and runs along the west coast south of Salo to Varsinais-Suomi, where it branches into two lines. One of these goes to Lappohja in Hanko and the other to Svartbäck in Inko.

The pipe is also supposed to have several large branches along the way. In addition, a long transverse line from Naantal via Forssa and Hyvinkää to Porvoo Kilpilahti, where Finland’s largest oil refinery is located, is planned for it.

The 1,500-kilometer long hydrogen pipeline line currently runs through 70 municipalities and around 7,000 landowners’ lands. In addition, its planning area affects up to 14,000 landowners. on Gasgrid’s website in the map service the pipeline can be viewed with the precision of even one property.

Two additional branches have already been drawn on the pipe, which are not included in the design of the first phase. One of these runs from Sipoo in the capital region all the way to South Karelia on the roads of Lappeenranta. Another branch runs from the direction of Tampere to Harjavalta, where it connects to the main line running along the west coast. In later stages, it is possible to have more branches, if hydrogen production is created in Eastern or Central Finland, for example.

In the early 2030s

The construction of the hydrogen pipeline is planned to take place in the next few years. In Gasgrid’s plans, decisions on the pipeline’s route will be made next year at the earliest, and the construction sites will start after that, as long as all permits have been granted and construction contracts have been concluded. Currently, the construction of the hydrogen network is undergoing an environmental impact assessment, i.e. the EIA phase, which is required by law.

“Construction probably won’t start for another couple of years. The goal is for the EIAs to be completed next year. The first sections of the pipeline should be in use in the early 2030s,” the head of the land use unit Kirsi Koivunen He tells Iltalehte about Gasgrid.

Gasgrid has already organized more than 50 discussion sessions for landowners on the construction of the hydrogen pipeline since last September. According to the company, some of the events have been open to everyone and some invitational events for landowners. Discussion sessions were held along the entire route of the hydrogen pipeline in its central areas, and more than 6,000 people have participated in them.

“Many are in favor of development for cleaner and domestic energy, but the maintenance of livelihoods, food production and the condition of fields raises questions. In addition, the safety of the transmission network and the compensation received by landowners came up in the discussion,” the company says on its website.

Koivunen says that Gasgrid has tried to contact all landowners along the route of the hydrogen network by letter. Also included are those whose lands the pipeline runs near, even if it does not directly hit their own property.

“150 meters has been approximately the limit of the affected area on both sides of the pipeline. We have received contact information from the land surveying institute.”

More landowners

Koivunen says that Gasgrid hopes to get feedback from landowners about the pipeline. The company’s goal is to publish a new route for the hydrogen pipeline, modified on the basis of feedback and discussions, next fall.

“In connection with that, more hearings for landowners will be organized. Of course, now that route will change, so there will be more landowners as well.”

In public, many landowners have expressed their concerns about laying the pipe, for example, through fields and even directly through yards. Koivunen says that Gasgrid tries to avoid alignment through yards. In particular, an effort has been made to go around all the buildings.

“It has not been possible to avoid all the yards. But we really hope for feedback on the route. And yes, the route is always intended to be moved whenever possible.”

“In addition to buildings, valuable nature reserves, power lines and other sites have had to be toured. It’s quite a puzzle.”

Compensation for use

Compensation is promised to the owners of the lands that fall on the final alignment of the hydrogen pipeline. According to Koivunen, Gasgrid will claim the right to use the pipeline area, even though the ownership of the land will not change.

“The redemption procedure is used and compensation is paid according to the law.”

The compensation paid is the market value of the land increased by a quarter. In addition, damages and losses are compensated.

The areas of structures related to the hydrogen pipeline, such as valve stations and pressure booster stations, will instead be redeemed for Gasgrid.

Can the landowner forbid the use of his plot?

“Of course, that feedback is requested precisely so that the route would be suitable for both of us. In any case, when it is such a massive project, the redemption procedure will be used.”

The eavesdroppers are mapped

A hydrogen pipe with a diameter of about one meter is buried in the ground to a depth of at least one meter and in fields to a depth of at least 1.2 meters. The width of the pipeline is 10 meters, but digging requires a working width of 37-40 meters.

Gasgrid says that the construction of the pipeline begins with the clearing of the line, where trees and vegetation are removed from the area. In the fields, food soil and base soil are going to be piled separately.

According to the company, in forest areas, work machines move in predefined work areas and installation roads, which can also be left in the terrain at the landowner’s request.

For the pipe, a trench about 2–3 meters deep is dug, the width of the bottom of which is about 1.5 meters, depending on the conditions.

According to Gasgrid, the structures reported by the landowner are taken into account in the excavation work. The goal is to avoid damage to electric cables, pipelines and other similar structures. Before starting construction, all sewers are also mapped and a thorough repair plan is drawn up for possible breakages.

On the lawn

Koivunen estimates that it will take about a year to install a hydrogen pipe in one location.

“It doesn’t necessarily take that long at one point. It depends on how long the piece is being made. First we cut down the trees. Then later we can dig and install the pipe.”

Koivunen says that construction will start in those areas where, in the first phase, there is hydrogen production or industry that uses it. However, the first construction areas have not yet been decided.

After construction, the pipe area will be landscaped and the fields will be returned to agricultural use. Gasgrid promises to repair all drainage ditches that are broken during the work, and in their repair they intend to use companies specialized in the construction of drainage ditches.

The location of the pipe is marked on the ground with poles, which, according to the company, aim to utilize the edges of ditches and other places where they do not interfere with cultivation. If the poles are placed in the field, compensation for the inconvenience is specified in the redemption.

If the pipe comes into the yard, what can be put on top of it?

“Tukes (Safety and Chemicals Agency) has recently published an instruction that defines the protective distances for buildings. Residential apartments, for example, may not be built within a distance of 15 meters. Trees or bushes may not be planted, but fields or lawns may be planted instead.”