According to Renewables Finland’s updated project portfolio, more than 26 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale solar power is currently being planned in Finland. As many as 77 projects (4.6 GW) have already been granted building permits by municipalities. The capacity of projects with building permits has increased by around one gigawatt in just six months. Satakunta is the leading region for planned solar power, both in terms of the number of projects and total capacity.
There are currently 300 utility-scale solar power projects at various stages of development in Finland, with a combined capacity of more than 26 GW. Of these, 77 projects (4.6 GW) have been granted building permits, while an additional 15 projects (1.4 GW) have completed the zoning process. The capacity of projects with building permits has increased by more than one gigawatt since Renewables Finland’s previous review six months ago. While not all projects currently under development will be realised, Finland has a substantial number of advanced solar power projects that can be built on a relatively short timeline.
At the same time as projects are progressing rapidly, a significant change is being proposed to their zoning requirements. Under the proposal, solar power plants covering more than 50 hectares would in future require zoning.
“Renewable energy investments are not accelerated by adding bureaucracy. The Government Programme promises to streamline permitting, but the 50-hectare zoning threshold is a step in exactly the opposite direction. The impacts will be felt particularly at the local level, as municipal administrations, for example, face growing workloads and projects are delayed, making it more difficult to anticipate the benefits they will bring,” says Anni Mikkonen, CEO of Renewables Finland.
The proposed Land Use Act currently before Parliament would introduce a 50-hectare zoning threshold for solar power projects. This would require zoning even for projects located on remote wasteland and former peat production areas – precisely the types of areas to which solar power development is also intended to be directed.
“The Government Programme also states that the development of solar power plants on wasteland should be streamlined. Contradictory policies do nothing to promote investment. Fortunately, Parliament still has the opportunity to reconsider and improve this provision,” Mikkonen says.
Most projects are planned in Satakunta
Solar power projects are being planned widely across Finland. Satakunta leads both in the number of projects and total planned capacity, with 29 projects totalling 3.3 GW. In terms of capacity, it is followed by South Ostrobothnia (2.7 GW) and Northern Ostrobothnia (2.6 GW). In terms of project numbers, Satakunta is followed by Northern Ostrobothnia with 28 projects, and Uusimaa and Southwest Finland with 27 projects each. The planned capacity is 60 MW in Uusimaa and 1.5 GW in Southwest Finland.
Solar power development is also spread across municipalities throughout the country. Loviisa has the highest number of planned projects, with eight projects totalling 636 MW. Six projects each are planned in Kankaanpää (767 MW), Kokemäki (195 MW) and Orimattila (655 MW). In terms of planned capacity, the leading municipalities are Kauhajoki (942 MW), Kouvola (900 MW) and Lappeenranta (854 MW).
Download the statistics on planned solar power projects
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*AI was used to translate this press release*
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