Fortum has made a decision to acquire a 40% stake in the Blaiken wind power project while the remaining 60% is held by the Swedish energy company Skellefteå Kraft. The joint venture, Blaiken Vind AB, is planning to start construction of the wind farm in the Blaiken region in northern Sweden. The wind farm will have a maximum of 100 wind turbines with a total capacity of 250 megawatts.
Blaiken will be one of the biggest onshore wind farms in Europe. Its estimated annual production of 600-720 gigawatt-hours is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 150,000 households.
According to the plan, the wind farm will be built in phases, with construction to begin in 2011 and completed in 2015. Preparatory work in the area will begin this autumn. The total investments during the project will amount to a maximum of 400 million euros, of which Fortum’s share is 40% and Skellefteå Kraft’s 60%.
A national wind study conducted by Uppsala University assessed the Blaiken region as a very good location for wind power production. According to the study, Blaiken's wind conditions are particularly good during the winter months when electricity demand is highest. The hydropower plant in the vicinity enables a cost-efficient connection of the wind power plants to the grid.
”Blaiken offers an interesting opportunity to acquire an interest in one of the biggest onshore wind farms in Europe in an area with very favourable wind conditions and in collaboration with a good partner. These wind conditions and Sweden’s market-based Green Certificates -system supporting renewable energy make Blaiken an attractive investment target”, explains Matti Ruotsala, Executive Vice President, Fortum's Power Division.
Skellefteå Kraft has been planning the Blaiken project since 2005.
”It has been important for us to find the right partner for the project. Fortum's know-how is very complementary for this project. I believe that our united efforts will lead to a successful implementation of this project”, notes Anders Järvelä, Vice President, Elkraft Skellefteå Kraft.