Suomen Hyötytuuli’s Pori Tahkoluoto project selected as demonstration project for offshore wind power
The Ministry of Employment and the Economy has selected Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy’s plan for a wind power farm as an experimental project for offshore wind power in Finland. The MEE granted EUR 20 million in investment subsidies for the implementation of the project on 19 November 2014. Suomen Hyötytuuli’s aim is to make a decision on the investment in spring 2015.
Suomen Hyötytuuli has been involved in development of offshore wind power since 2000 and the company’s offshore project is one of the most progressed in Finland.
“We received several good applications for the experimental project for offshore wind power. Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy’s project was considered to be the best one. It will now serve as a trailblazer for Finnish offshore wind power”, observes Minister of Economic Affairs Jan Vapaavuori, who signed the decision supporting the project.
“The ministry’s investment subsidies provide us with an opportunity to generate a remarkable energy source in Finland, based on offshore wind power. Simultaneously, it ables the development of the offshore wind power technology and launch of a new business concept that combines Finnish knowhow in marine and steel engineering with new innovations”, comments Toni Sulameri, Managing Director of Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy.
Suomen Hyötytuuli hopes to build 10 or 11 turbines in Tahkoluoto, Pori.
”The planning has proceeded in good co-operation with the residents of the area and other stakeholders. Our focus has been on the environmental impacts as well as the technical and economic feasibility, comments Miia Wallén, Head of Project Development of Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy.
”New technology and careful planning help us to reduce the project’s unwanted impacts and risks related to them. We intend to fully utilize both.”
The planning of the Suomen Hyötytuuli’s offshore project continues. The company’s aim is to make the decision on the investment in spring 2015, after the completion of the necessary studies and permit processes.
The project would demonstrate solutions for wind turbines and offshore foundations that are suitable for conditions in the Baltic Sea. In the future, these would allow for more extensive construction of offshore wind power in the icy conditions of the Baltic Sea. Ice conditions in the area are challenging, especially because of pack ice.
Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy’s shareholders are major Finnish city energy companies and the company has over 15 years of experience in wind power production as well as research and development of wind power. Besides the offshore pilot, the company has two onshore wind farms in operation, in Pori with 11.3 MW and in Raahe with 20.7 MW. The farms produced nearly one fifth of Finland’s wind energy in 2012. In the next few years, Suomen Hyötytuuli aims to build 400 MW of new wind power in Finland.
Further information:
Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy, Managing Director, Mr Toni Sulameri
toni.sulameri@hyotytuuli.fi, tel. +358 50 524 9609
Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy, Head of Project Development, Ms Miia Wallén
miia.wallen@hyotytuuli.fi, tel. + 358 50 329 7127