- Fortum has launched a new 80 MW industrial scale solar power plant in Finland
- It is proposed to be located in Yläpää and Uusitalo areas in the Municipality of Virolahti
- For Fortum, the project is aligned with its plans to expand into clean energy space in the Nordic region
State-owned energy company in Finland, Fortum has announced plans for an industrial scale solar power plant in the country with 80 MW installed capacity, calling it the firm’s maiden solar power development project on home turf as it targets to expand solar footprint in Nordic nations.
The 80 MW facility is proposed to be located in the Municipality of Virolahti, in Yläpää and Uusitalo areas. Project is envisioned to be spread in 160-hectare land space.
It still needs a green signal from the Virolahti Municipal Board that will launch a zoning process for the project. It will be open for public consultation, thereafter conducting environmental assessments and zoning.
Fortum will then submit an application for building permit and take an investment decision to actually start work on site. The company says its solar power business covers entire value chain from project design and construction to electricity sales and site restoration.
“We are developing the project in close cooperation with the landowners and the municipality of Virolahti,” said Head of Wind and Solar Project Development at Fortum, Mikko Iso-Tryykäri. “We see a lot of potential for solar power in the Nordic countries. There is a strong demand for renewable wind and solar power, which will grow even more as industry decarbonises and the demand for hydrogen increases.”
Fortum aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and exit coal in its operations by 2027-end, while aiming for clean energy to help decarbonization in the industrial sector in the Nordics as part of its strategic initiatives. The management expects to invest up to €1.5 billion as capex on clean energy during 2023-2025.
Nordic region is expected to become a powerhouse for stable, low-cost and clean electricity supplier for Europe, led by Finland, Sweden and Denmark, according to Rystad Energy (see 3 Nordic Nations To Add 12.8 GW Solar PV Capacity By 2030).
