Pohjolan Voima Planning to Extend the Kemi Offshore Wind Farm

Pohjolan Voima has initiated an environmental impact assessment procedure concerning the extension of the offshore wind farm in Kemi. According to the plans, the present ten-unit wind farm would be complemented with 60 new plant units. After the extension, the total power capacity of the offshore wind farm would be 230 megawatts.

The wind power plant units are planned to be located near the existing plant units. The project area consists of six sections, and its farthest end is located 13 kilometres from the southernmost end of Ajos island.

Locations for the wind turbines will be selected in sea areas less than 10 metres deep, in which the construction of plants is technically and economically feasible.  On the basis of study results acquired in connection with project planning, the most suitable foundation method will be selected separately for each wind power plant unit.

The results that will be acquired from the offshore wind power plant foundation, built for test purposes in summer 2009 off Ajos in Kemi, will be employed in the present wind farm extension project. The sea foundation study surveys the durability of a steel foundation in winter conditions, and is intended to last at least until the end of this winter. Results acquired on the basis of the pilot foundation can be employed, for example, in selecting foundation methods for offshore wind power plants.
 
The extension plan for the Kemi offshore wind farm is part of Pohjolan Voima’s efforts to increase the use of renewable energy sources. Besides the extension of Kemi offshore wind farm, Pohjolan Voima is planning, together with its co-operation partners, to construct new wind farms off the Oulu-Haukipudas and Kristiinankaupunki coasts, as well as to extend the existing onshore wind farms.

The environmental impact assessment procedure for the extension of the Kemi offshore wind farm started towards the end of summer 2009 and is planned to be completed in autumn 2010. The environmental impact assessment is being carried out by Pohjolan Voima’s wind power subsidiary, PVO-Innopower Oy.