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"The planned initiative feels very big for small Åland. Would it not be possible to expand wind power in places where it is already established rather than open up unspoilt areas?" wonders Frida Sjöroos, chairperson of the Geta municipal council, which borders on Norrhavet.
Project Sunnavind was established by the Åland government in spring 2021 and is co-financed by the EU. The aim is to enable the establishment of offshore wind power in Åland’s waters.
The mission also includes the planning and environmental assessment required for construction permits. A revenue model will be established and licenses for the relevant sea areas will be put out to tender.
The area covers 674 square kilometres and lies between 15 and 45 kilometres off the north coast of Åland. The annual energy production is estimated to be 20 TWh, the equivalent of around 30 per cent of Finland’s existing electricity production.
The work is in full swing. According to the schedule, the areas are expected to be ready for auction by the end of 2025. Two companies specialising in large-scale fossil-free energy have set up offices in Åland – OX2 and Ilmatar.
Ilmatar, which is behind one of the large Åland offshore wind power projects, announces that they are pausing all of their offshore wind projects in Finland.
Ilmatar writes that the development of offshore wind power has been a complicated process and something that has been met with several challenges.
The progress that has been made does not meet expectations and it would involve a major financial risk to continue with the project, according to the company.
At the same time, the company announces that its other operations such as onshore wind power and solar energy will continue.
Work Research Institute
OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University,
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