Hämeenkyrö council backs contested Konikallio wind park by 16–15 vote

Hämeenkyrö's municipal council approved the partial master plan for the Konikallio wind park by a 16–15 vote. Twelve councillors filed dissenting opinions, and councillor Rauno Mäki (Finns Party) tabled a formal rejection motion, saying the project risks groundwater and would harm the landscape, cultural-historical values and biodiversity, YLE reported. The council reversed an earlier June decision after finding a procedural error: the minutes show external experts were granted speaking rights, but the meeting recording does not reflect that. Ikaalinen had already withdrawn from the project at a city board meeting on 17 August for similar reasons. The project is planned by Ilmatar Energy's project company, Ilmatar Ikaalinen‑Hämeenkyrö oy. Under the approved plan, turbines may reach 300 metres in total height, with individual capacity up to 10 megawatts. The planning process began in 2021 and included an environmental impact assessment and numerous studies. The final public display attracted 27 official statements and 23 objections raising concerns about groundwater, landscape, nature, noise, recreational use and falling property values. The decision follows the municipal board's narrow 5–4 recommendation in October to advance the plan to the full council.