Vestas, a renowned wind turbine manufacturer, has landed a significant deal with Ilmatar, a Nordic energy company and Independent Power Producer (IPP), solidifying plans for the 186 MW Pahkakoski project in Ii, situated 60km away from Oulu, Finland.
Ilmatar did not reveal financial details of the project.
Under this agreement, Vestas will provide 30 V162-6.2 MW wind turbines for the project. Additionally, the company will oversee the servicing of these turbines for an extensive period of 30 years, facilitated through the Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement.
Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe, expressed enthusiasm, highlighting the fruitful collaboration with Ilmatar. “Together, we’ve secured over 150 wind turbines in the last decade, aligning with our shared vision for a sustainable future in Finland.”
Ilmatar’s CEO, Juha-Pekka Weckström, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the project’s significance in advancing renewable energy in the Nordics.
The timeline for the wind power project’s execution is well laid out, with turbine deliveries expected to kick off in the third quarter of 2024, followed by commissioning slated for the second quarter of 2025.
The Pahkakoski wind power project, situated in Northern Ostrobothnia, marks a substantial leap towards bolstering Finland’s renewable energy capacity. The installation of these 30 wind turbines signifies a pivotal step, contributing significantly to the regional economy while aligning with Finland’s carbon-neutral objectives.
Ilmatar’s acquisition of the Pahkakoski and Jakalakangas land wind power projects from Alterric Internationale Beteiligungs in late 2022-2023 paved the way for this venture. Notably, the wind power area underwent a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, securing legal building permits, and aligning with a local master plan approved in 2018 for wind power construction.
Preliminary groundwork, encompassing the construction of a substation and a high-voltage overhead line, has already commenced. Further plans for infrastructure development, including turbine lifting platforms, access roads, and foundations, are scheduled for 2023-2024, potentially leading to turbine installation around 2025 and subsequent commercial production by 2025-2026.
Pahkakoski’s remote location, favorable wind conditions, and minimal impact on residential areas make it an optimal site for wind power production. Furthermore, Ilmatar’s commitment to long-term ownership, facilitated through its subsidiary Pahkakosken Energia Oy, promises sustained contributions to the local economy, directing corporate taxes to the municipality of Ii.