Swiss project developer Nord Stream 2 AG has submitted to the competent permit authorities applications for two permits to construct the planned twin 1,200-kilometre Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipelines through the Baltic Sea in the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The pipeline will run 374 kilometres across the Finnish EEZ, which is in international waters.
An EEZ permit application was submitted to the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The permit requires the Government’s consent. A water permit required for construction and operation of the pipeline in Finnish waters was submitted to the competent authority last Tuesday.
In Finland, permitting procedure follows the environmental impact assessment procedure (EIA), which is a pre-requisite for proceeding to permitting phase. EIA phase was completed in July when the coordinating authority acknowledged the EIA report to be sufficient.
Permit procedures are also ongoing in the other countries, through whose waters the pipeline will pass (in Russia, Sweden, Denmark and Germany).