Sep 8 2010
Fortum, a clean energy company with a focus on the countries located in the Nordic, Baltic Rim area and Russia, has declared its choice to purchase 40% equity in the Blaiken wind energy project while the balance of 60% shares will be vested with Skellefteå Kraft, a Swedish energy company.
Blaiken Vind AB, a joint venture company, has plans to develop a wind farm in the Blaiken region located in northern Sweden. The proposed 250-MW wind farm is expected to have around 100 wind turbines.
Blaiken Vind AB is planning to construct this wind farm in phases starting from 2011 and expects to complete it in the year 2015. The ground work for the wind farm is expected to begin during the coming autumn. An estimated investment of €400 million will be shared by Fortum and Skellefteå Kraftin in the ratio of 4:6. The proposed wind farm when completed will be one among the biggest wind onshore wind farms in Europe. The wind farm is expected to produce 600 to 720 GWh of power annually and will meet the power requirements of around 150,000 houses. According to a study conducted by the Uppsala University, the chosen Blaiken region offers excellent wind potential for power generation, especially during the winter months when the power requirement will reach its peak.
Matti Ruotsala, Fortum Power Division’s Executive Vice President, said that the Blaiken area has the greatest wind potential with favorable wind conditions. He added in addition to the favorable wind conditions, the market-based Green Certificates –system of Sweden that supports clean energy make Blaiken a right choice for investment.