Private Sector Implements Wind Projects in Finland

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Finland is one of the only European countries to use tax incentives, rather than of feed-in tariffs, to promote wind energy and other forms of renewable energy. Because Finland has not mandated that utilities use renewable energy, the country's citizens and the private sector are responsible for the demand in renewable energy technology in the country. Finland's politicians have suggested the implementation of feed-in tariffs in the past, but to achieve the goal of 500 megawatts (MW) of installed wind-generated electricity by 2010, Finland would have to implement drastic tax reductions, which are forbidden under European Union legislation.

By the end of 2009, Finland only had 147 MW of installed wind-generated electricity. As of 2007, 90% of the Finnish public supported the idea of wind-generated power and supported wind power investments, despite the government's lack of involvement. The private sector is stepping up to the challenge.

Currently PVO-Innopower Oy (Helsinki, Finland), in association with Oulun Energia (Oulu, Finland), is conducting an energy analysis for a new windfarm while awaiting approval for expenditure. Once approval is granted, PVO will be able to advance plans to build a 2.6 billion-euro ($3.2 billion) windfarm 14 kilometers offshore from Oulu, Finland, which is about 525 kilometers north of Helsinki. The windfarm will have a stand-alone maximum capacity of 800 MW, single-handedly exceeding the 2010 goal. The facility is expected to significantly impact local industries and employment, as well as CO2 emissions. Assuming everything goes according to schedule, construction is set to begin in January 2013 and is estimated to be finished by the first quarter of 2016. Once operational, the windfarm is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 1 million metric tons annually.

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