Renewables Finland examined the effects of the regulatory change included in the Land Use Act on the utility-scale solar project development of its member companies. The change would mean that in the future all solar power projects larger than 50 hectares would require zoning. A large share of solar power projects planned in Finland fall within the 70–150 hectare size range. The proposed 50-hectare threshold would therefore not only affect exceptionally large projects, but a significant share of typical project development.
Sixteen companies responded to the survey, and the dataset covers 135 solar power projects. In terms of projects, the sample is comprehensive compared to all projects currently under development in Finland, which totaled 301 projects in January 2026. According to the survey, 12 out of 16 companies estimate that the proposed 50-hectare zoning threshold has already reduced their willingness to initiate new solar power projects. Four companies reported no impact.
Renewables Finland notes that the proposed threshold is also inconsistent with the Government Programme. The programme aims to guide solar power development, among other places, to former peat production areas and wastelands. In these areas the impacts of solar power development are often more moderate, as they are typically located far from settlements, their alternative land-use value is low and the environment has already been modified by human activity. However, the proposed regulation would make it more difficult for precisely these types of projects to move forward.
“The proposed zoning threshold is problematic because it makes it harder to place projects exactly in the areas where solar power would make the most sense from an impact perspective – and where the Government Programme intends it to be directed. In our dataset, the largest projects are typically located on former peatlands and other wastelands, which are often far from settlements and already modified by human activity,” says Klaara Tapper, Advocacy Manager at Renewables Finland.
The zoning threshold would negatively affect nearly half of total capacity
The combined planned capacity of the 135 projects included in the survey dataset is 11,510 megawatts (MW). Based on the survey, the regulatory change would not significantly affect the build readiness of 78 projects. In these cases, the project is either already permitted, smaller than 50 hectares, or would be zoned in any case due to its location.
However, 57 projects were assessed to be negatively affected by the regulation. According to companies, the change would extend project timelines, increase costs, create additional uncertainty, and delay or prevent investment decisions. In some cases, it could prevent the project from progressing altogether. The projects facing negative impacts represent almost half of the total capacity in the survey dataset: 48.7%, or more than 5,600 MW.
Renewables Finland emphasizes that the permitting of solar power projects should continue to be based on impact assessment rather than solely on project size. If a project is located in an area where zoning is necessary, a zoning plan should be prepared. However, if the project is located in an area where there are no significant land-use conflicts to reconcile, the project should be able to proceed based on case-by-case administrative assessment without an additional zoning requirement.
“Municipalities already assess on a case-by-case basis whether a solar power project involves land-use considerations that require zoning. A general 50-hectare threshold would reduce municipal discretion and further increase the workload of planners at a time when resources are already limited in many municipalities,” says Anni Mikkonen, CEO of Renewables Finland.
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