Norway is set to become the home of Europe’s largest onshore wind project, as plans have been announced for six new farms in the centre of the country with a combined capacity of 1000MW.
A joint venture between Statkraft, TrønderEnergi and the European investor consortium Nordic Wind Power DA, the €1.1bn Fosen Vind development is due to begin construction later this year, with a completion date of 2020. In total, 278 turbines will be used, each with a capacity of 3.6 MW, and the project is expected to generate 3.4 TWh of power per year.
"This is an important day,” said Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, president and CEO of Statkraft.
“Together with our partners Statkraft has developed the largest renewable energy project in Norway in this millennium. With a 1000 MW project we become one of the leading onshore wind players."
The six farms will be built on the Fosen peninsula, Snillfjord and the island of Hitra, in a coastal area near to the city of Trondheim where conditions for wind energy are ideal. Plans for a different project involving the same parties were abandoned last summer due to lack of profitability. This led to a new assessment process and a redesigned project with reduced costs and increased generation.
"Fosen Vind represents an exciting new chapter for renewable energy in Norway,” said Ståle Gjersvold, CEO of TrønderEnergi.
“In a challenging economic environment, TrønderEnergi and our partners will create value and jobs to the whole of Trøndelag."
The first delivery of turbines is due to take place in 2018.
PMI falls as manufacturers feel the squeeze
17 months or two and a half years - which is it?