Nature thanks the dam builders, and the demolition also boosts employment and the tourism industry, especially in Eastern Finland. However, restoration requires a strategic approach and long-term funding.
Restoration in its entirety can be a significant opportunity for the construction industry, which is struggling in the economic downturn.
"A lot will be invested in this in the future with the restoration decree, and a significant part will be in land construction. Regionally, this could be a big operation," said the director of INFRA ry and Rakennusteollisuus RT. Juha Laurila evaluate.
In October, Laurila participated in a seminar by RT and WWF at the Parliament House, where the topic was restoring streams by demolishing dams. He reminded that there are restoration sites other than water bodies, and cited Rudusen's Lumon and GRK's projects promoting the diversity of local nature as examples.
How would nature restoration expand into other construction activities?
“We need more information, concrete goals, development of procurement procedures, training and cooperation.”
“Most of the hydropower is useless”
WWF is the largest private dam removal company in Finland. As of October 2025, 68 migration barriers had been removed from Finnish waterways and 57 other restorations had been carried out. There were 25 ongoing projects.
WWF Program Director Sampsa Vilhunen made seminar guests realize that most hydroelectric power plants are practically useless from an energy production perspective, as the majority of electricity is produced by other means.
In recent years, hydropower has accounted for approximately 15–25 percent of domestic electricity production. According to preliminary data from Statistics Finland, it will be approximately 17,0 percent in 2024. New hydropower is unlikely to be built for environmental reasons, but it is possible to increase the output of existing plants by overhauling the main machinery.
In the future, there will probably be more emphasis on dismantling, but the work is just beginning.
“There are still over 5,000 dams and 30,000 obstructed canals in Finland waiting to be restored,” Vihunen said.
Tourism is the fastest growing industry since World War II, and nature tourism is growing the fastest. The seminar discussed whether this will provide a boost to the declining Eastern Finland.
Technically demanding work
Water resources manager Matti Vaittinen The Southeast Finland ELY Centre reported on the restoration of the Hiitolanjoki River in South Karelia in 2021–2023.
The total cost of the project was three million euros. 93 percent of the amount went to main contracts, mechanical work, mass transfers, bridges and construction. For the contractor company chosen as the renovator, the project meant a growth spurt.
Dam removal on the Hiitolanjoki River will help endangered migratory fish, such as Lake Ladoga salmon and trout.
CEO Juha Kainulainen Uponor spoke about the challenging work site at Sysmän Virtaankoski. The restoration was carried out in the winter, when the contractors were otherwise quiet.
“20,000 tons of quarry, almost 2000 truckloads,” Kainulainen recounted the masses moved at the construction site and particularly emphasized the role of cooperation at the site. Several organizations participated in the restoration and development of the area's recreational and tourism use.
The technically demanding construction site included, for example, underwater construction and piling.
"Specialized expertise is needed, and the market is still developing. This is an opportunity for SMEs and regional operators," Kainulainen said.
Public sector to create a market
For restoration to gain momentum, long-term support and funding from the public sector is needed. Procurement models should support restoration goals. Public sector commitment would launch projects and create a market.
Emeritus Professor Markku Ollikainen encouraged decision-makers: “Restoration is valued, and this appreciation should be a strong message to promote restoration.
The government has commendably promoted the restoration, as was also witnessed by the Prime Minister who was invited to open the event. Peter Orpo.
The seminar on the multiple benefits of stream restoration was organized by WWF Finland, the Finnish Construction Industry Federation and the Parliamentary Environment and Nature Group on October 14. There were approximately 70 attendees in the Parliament auditorium.
Restoration – what is it all about?
Ihminen on over the centuries weakened natural ecosystems, which is aimed at new to restore. Ponta activities you know EU Restoration Regulationfrom in the summer of 2024. AThe regulation is part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which was adopted by member states in 2020.. The regulation aims to stop the loss of biodiversity, i.e. the loss of natural habitat., and it toi involves several important actions, which bonesvat a wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. As a target can be both state and privateall countries, but obligedWL on vain statelle, which must be found means and incentives reach set for restoration goals. By 2040, 60 percent of areas whose natural values have been degraded must be restored, and by 2050, 90 percent.