According to a new statistic by Renewables Finland, more than 100 gigawatts (GW) of new wind power capacity is planned in Finland. However, a proposed fixed setback requirement in the Land Use Act threatens to prevent a significant share of these projects from being realized. As both a national and international strength, wind power promises major investments across Finland and enables large-scale industrial growth investments that require abundant renewable electricity.
A vast amount of new wind power is planned in Finland. Altogether, 106 GW of projects are currently at various stages of development: 60.8 GW onshore and 45.8 GW offshore. Only part of these projects will eventually be built, as wind power development involves careful and responsible balancing of different impacts, and projects are often scaled down or cancelled during the development process.
The statistic shows that Finland already has a significant number of more advanced projects. Onshore, projects with permits already granted (4.1 GW, 633 turbines) and those under construction (1.1 GW, 171 turbines) total more than 5.2 GW. In addition, 8.2 GW (1,163 turbines) of projects are already zoned. Offshore wind development is still in its early stages in Finland, with 860 megawatts (MW) of projects in territorial waters already covered by zoning plans. Currently, Finland has 8.9 GW of wind power in production.
Wind power projects create the conditions for major industrial growth investments in Finland. They are also significant investments for municipalities, which may otherwise struggle to attract projects that boost local vitality. Renewables Finland emphasizes that if Finland wants to harness the full potential of wind power and its opportunities, legislation must not become an obstacle to project development.
“The planned Land Use Act threatens to inexplicably block a large share of Finland’s wind power projects. At present, wind power is the only way to quickly increase domestic renewable electricity production, which is essential for the hydrogen economy and the electrification of other sectors – that is, for growth investments and new jobs. Now is a decisive moment to make use of our strengths: one law can either prevent or enable Finland’s ability to attract industrial investments and achieve sustainable economic growth,” says Anni Mikkonen, CEO of Renewables Finland.
“Finland already has one of the strictest wind power regulations in Europe, which has developed into a workable national practice. If the conditions for wind power construction are destroyed now, developers may in the worst case withdraw from the market, and returning later could take years while projects become outdated,” adds Matias Ollila, Director of Advocacy at Renewables Finland.
The information on planned wind power projects is based on data provided by developers and includes projects from preliminary planning to construction. The project list and statistics are updated twice a year.
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