Finland to launch tenders for 6GW of offshore wind

Finnish state-owned enterprise Metsahallitus plans to launch tenders for five offshore wind projects with a total capacity of 6GW later this year and in 2024 once Finnish municipalities approve its zoning initiatives.

The company submitted zoning proposals for seven seabed areas — with a combined 1,190km2 — to the coastal cities of Siikajoki, Hailuoto, Pyhajoki, Raahe, Narpes and Kristinestad, all located to the northwest of Helsinki.

Once approved by the municipalities, Metsahallitus will open a tender for two offshore wind projects in September-October 2023, while an additional tender is anticipated in 2024 for the next two offshore wind projects. The final tender, for the fifth project, will be decided later, according to the firm.

Swedish utility Vattenfall recently won the first tender in co-operation with the firm for the development of the 1.3GW Korsnas wind project, which will be the first large offshore wind farm to be built in Finnish waters.

"The tendering of the first offshore wind farm at the end of last year also showed that Finland is of interest to both domestic and international companies as a stable investment environment," Metsahallitus said today.

By Makani Joinville