Finland green lights construction of large offshore wind project

Photo: Adobe Stock

The two parties have signed a reservation agreement, with Metsähallitus providing Skyborn with a five-year window to develop the 2GW Pooki offshore wind farm.

Development work on the project is scheduled to commence as early as August this year.

Through the reservation agreement, Skyborn, which already has a use plan and water permit, receives exclusive rights to continue its surveying project, ahead of planned construction work.

The Pooki wind farm will be located in Bothnian Bay, approximately 25km from the Finnish shore, on the site of Suurhiekka wind project, which was cancelled in 2019, with no construction work taking place.

With an average water depth of 20m, Skyborn says the location presents ideal conditions for offshore wind power generation.

Finland’s net zero drive

The company plans to install around 100 wind turbines with a combined capacity exceeding 2 GW, providing a substantial boost to the region’s renewable energy infrastructure.

The Finnish government approved the plans for the Pooki wind farm as part of its aim of being carbon neutral by 2035, and further similar projects are expected to be launched in the near future.

Skyborn chief executive Thomas Karst said, “We are honoured to have secured this exclusive five-year reservation agreement to develop Pooki offshore wind farm.

“It is a significant milestone for Skyborn and reinforces our confidence in the potential of offshore wind in Finland. Working alongside Metsähallitus, we are excited with this opportunity to participate in Finland’s transition towards a renewable future.”

Metsähallitus property development director Tuomas Hallenberg added: “Finland is committed to expanding the capacity of emission-free energy through the rapid deployment of offshore wind.

“We welcome Skyborn Renewables to contribute to this development and strengthen fossil-free energy production in the country.”