FINLAND is planning to start importing natural gas from Latvia via a pipeline under the Baltic Sea from Estonia; the pipeline could become operational by 2010. The seabed pipeline, at an estimated cost of $95 million, would run from Estonia, some 80km south of Finland, across the Gulf of Finland; the gas would be transmitted to Estonia from Latvia along an existing gas network. The new pipeline would help meet growing demand for the clean energy source, especially in the Helsinki region, according to Antero Jannes, chief executive of Gasum, the country's main gas company, 25% state owned. "We have made preliminary studies and now we are starting a broader inspection to check the seabed," Jannes said. "A final decision is expected by 2007, and the pipeline could be ready by 2010." A feasibility study of the project will begin this month (August) and is scheduled to be completed next year, Jannes said. The European Union will provide half the research cost, estimated to total $3 million. At present, Finland meets 11% of its energy needs with gas imports from Russia, and demand is growing. "In the capital region, demand for natural gas is increasing, and for heating purposes we could significantly replace the use of coal burning with natural gas," Jannes said. "One of the main reasons for new demand is the wish to meet the targets of the Kyoto (Protocol) by cutting carbon dioxide emissions. A new pipeline with natural gas from Latvia would also increase flexibility in our energy planning and ease storage," he added. Finland's natural gas network consists of 990km of high-pressure transmission pipelines and around 1190km of distribution pipelines. About 50 municipalities in the country use natural gas, and in 1998 Helsinki City Transport started to operate natural gas buses.