Metsähallitus has taken a significant stride in Finland’s offshore wind sector, commissioning Arenso to handle the technical planning for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) programme of the up to 1,400MW Ebba project in the Bay of Bothnia. This move signals a concrete step towards realizing Finland’s offshore wind ambitions, with the design work set to commence this autumn.
The Ebba project, located off the coast of Pyhäjoki and Raahe, is poised to become a substantial contributor to Finland’s clean energy landscape. With a planned capacity of 1.4GW, it aims to commence electricity production in the 2030s, pending successful navigation through the EIA process and subsequent approvals.
Sami Piippo, project director at Metsähallitus, underscored the project’s importance, stating, “The Ebba project is an important step toward cleaner energy production.” He highlighted Arenso’s expertise, noting that their experience in technical design of offshore wind power brings strong expertise to the project.
Arenso’s involvement is indeed noteworthy. With over two decades of experience in developing offshore wind power concepts suitable for the icy conditions of the Baltic Sea, the company’s business director Esa Holttinen affirmed, “Arenso and its predecessor Suomen Hyötytuuli have been developing offshore wind power concepts suitable for the icy conditions of the Baltic Sea for over two decades, and this expertise will now be applied in the planning of the Ebba project.”
The project’s location on state-owned waters designated for wind development streamlines the planning process, but the technical challenges of operating in the Baltic Sea’s icy conditions remain. Arenso’s proven track record in this area will be crucial in optimizing turbine placement and marine infrastructure to support the EIA process.
This development could catalyze further investment in Finland’s offshore wind sector, demonstrating the country’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio. The Ebba project’s progress will be watched closely, as its success could pave the way for more large-scale offshore wind projects in the region. Moreover, the project’s focus on the icy conditions of the Baltic Sea could yield valuable insights for other cold-weather offshore wind developments globally.