Hydropowering sustainability transformation: policy frames on river use and restoration in Finland

Hydropower, as a flexible energy source, has sparked renewed interest in the ongoing decarbonisation of society. Simultaneously, wider transformation socio-ecological system towards more sustainable practices production is required. Our paper draws from theory and concepts transformability, hydro-social cycle, aquatic regime to study water governance regulation Finland. case data consists 16 semi-structured interviews 207 news articles Yle national broadcast company. We studied policy frames reveal how actors understand, view make sense future river use restoration, they utilise for strategic purposes. Results demonstrate that restoration were framed by four modes thinking: 1) hydropower ‘cultural trauma’, 2) restoring rivers dam removal after construction operation improve ecological flows rivers, 3) improving social acceptance removal, 4) efficiency source power. shows enable pathways socio-ecological-technical transformations ecosystems further scientific scrutiny should be focused on reconciliation recreational uses environments function transition. Removal migration barriers small-scale plants building fishways bypasses are part this transformation. Furthermore, needed give impoundment facilities flexibility, causes changes levels which may potential conflict between riparian residents operators. Therefore, emphasis placed recognises local dynamics interactions within social-ecological systems.