Investments in wind power

Pohjolan Voima is planning the construction of major-scale offshore wind farms off the coasts of Kristiinankaupunki and Haukipudas as well as the expansion of the wind farm located off Ajos, Kemi. Extensions to onshore wind farms are also under consideration.

Durability of undersea foundations in northern conditions surveyed

In 2009, an undersea wind turbine foundation was constructed at the wind farm in Ajos, Kemi in order to study the technical durability of the steel foundation located at the bottom of the sea. This project is also aimed at developing an industrial scale solution for offshore wind farm foundations suited to Finnish ice conditions. Loads measured from the steel-built pilot foundation, the first in Finland, include those caused by the swell of the sea, ice and wind.

Pohjolan Voima is carrying out the undersea foundation project in co-operation with several other actors who have upcoming wind power projects. The costs of the project are estimated to be €2.5 million. The Ministry of Employment and the Economy has granted the project investment aid worth €0.8 million.

New offshore wind power planned off the coast of Kristiinankaupunki

Pohjolan Voima is assessing the possibility of constructing a major-scale sea wind farm with capacity for about 400 MW in Kristiinankaupunki. For the major part, the wind farm would be constructed at sea off the coast, but a smaller section would be located within the Pohjolan Voima power plant area on Karhusaari in Kristiinankaupunki.

The environmental impact assessment procedure was initiated in the spring 2008 and the reports were completed in November 2009, after which the plans were further specified. In the new plan, the maximum number of new wind turbines is 70.

The environmental impact assessment report was submitted to the coordinating authority in January 2010.

Major-scale offshore wind farm planned off Haukipudas

In co-operation with Oulun Energia, Pohjolan Voima is assessing the possibility of constructing a major-scale wind farm off Haukipudas. According to plans, the maximum number of plant units in the wind farm would be 160 with a combined power of 500–800 MW. The project consists of the offshore wind farm and of the connecting transmission lines to the national grid.

The environmental impact assessment report for the offshore wind farm is expected to be completed early in 2010.

Extension to the Kemi wind farm under consideration

Pohjolan Voima is planning to extend the wind farm in Ajos, Kemi. The planned total number of new wind power plant units in the Ajos area is about 60 with a combined power of about 200 MW. The environmental impact assessment programme for the extension was completed in December 2009. The current wind farm in Ajos, Kemi consists of ten wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3 MW, constructed partly onshore and partly offshore. The wind farm was inaugurated in February 2009.

More onshore wind farms under consideration

Pohjolan Voima is planning to extend the total power of its existing onshore wind farms by 50 MW. The extensions would be constructed on wind farms located in Kristiinankaupunki, Kemi and Kokkola. In addition, the construction of up to three wind power plant units on the site of Mussalo power plant in Kotka is under consideration.