Ilmatar gets research permits for 2 areas offshore Finland

Finnish independent power producer Ilmatar Energy Oy on Tuesday said it will resume the development of two wind areas off the coasts of Vaasa and Kokkola in Finland after securing research permits.

The company’s subsidiary Ilmatar Offshore has been awarded the permits by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM). The two areas in Finland’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) total about 700 sq km. While it is too early to make capacity assumptions, the areas offer "not-too-deep" waters and good wind conditions, according to the announcement.

Previously, Ilmatar Offshore temporarily suspended development at these sites but after the receipt of the research permits, they have been given an official project status and named Voima and Norrskar.

“The permitting procedure in the EEZ areas is still unclear, but we know that the principle ‘first come, first served’ does not apply here. Obtaining a research permit or presenting a completed environmental impact assessment does not give priority,” commented Anna Hager, regional manager at Ilmatar Offshore.

Ilmatar’s recently appointed chief executive Juha-Pekka Weckstrom added that it is in Finland’s interest that domestic operators operate in Finland’s EEZ areas.

The developer will now move ahead with tenders for seabed surveys and environmental impact assessments in the areas.

In October, Ilmatar launched a technical survey of the seabed over a 600-sq-km area north of Aland for a roughly 2.1-GW offshore wind project. The company set up its subsidiary Ilmatar Offshore in the spring of 2022.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!