This project is now available for funding, and its status is set out below. Please contact Dick Sisman for more information about contributing to this project, quoting its reference number 'TP017' in all correspondence.
| Project Status Table for TICOS Project TP017 | |
| Date validated by TICOS: | 7 January 2008 |
Estimated project cost: |
210,000 euros |
Project timescale: |
10 years plus from receipt of funding |
| Additional sustainable development benefits: | See project details below |
The Kvarken Archipelago received world heritage status in July 2006, as the first nature heritage site in Finland.
During the last ten years Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service) has cooperated with local small tourism companies to develop the old pilot and frontier guard stations within the Park as 'nature stations' with good facilities to be used for small scaled nature tourism. The stations are owned by Metsähallitus, which is a state enterprise, but all commercial activities (accommodation, guiding, meals etc) are carried out by qualified local tourism entrepreneurs, with whom Metsähallitus has agreements.
The focus of this project will be on replacing old oil-consuming diesel generators with solar and wind power. All the frontier guard and pilot stations are situated in the outer parts of the Park, far away from electricity networks. Because of the long distance to the coast, electricity has been produced by diesel generators, which is both economically and ecologically a poor solution. The transport of oil also causes risks for the very rich water fowl population in the area.
Heat pumps will be installed in three stations for wintertime heating. Electricity for pumps will be produced mainly by wind and solar power. The diesel generators will be used only during long calm periods in the middle of the winter when there is not enough solar energy. Additionally, environmentally friendly wastewater systems, compost toilets and sewage treatment works will be introduced.
At the moment the total yearly oil consumption of the stations within the Park is 30,000 litres/year. Without wind and solar energy, the oil consumption for heating and electricity will rise to 50,000 litres per year as tourism in the area is growing rapidly. In addition to offsetting carbon, this project will also enable year-round activities in the stations. This means better employment for small tourism entrepreneurs in the archipelago and as the stations are open to the public, they are very suitable places to teach and present new technologies to potential users.