Ilmatar secures seabed survey permit for 1.2-GW wind project off Finland

March 31 (Renewables Now) - Ilmatar Offshore AB, a subsidiary of Finnish independent power producer Ilmatar Energy Oy on Thursday said it has secured a permit to conduct environmental surveys for a 1.2-GW offshore wind project in Finland.

The seabed survey permit granted by the Ministry of Employment and Economy concerns the Vagskar scheme that will be sited within a 367 sq km (142 sq mile) area in the Finnish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Studies needed for the environmental impact assessment (EIA) are already underway, being handled by Danish engineering, architecture and consultancy company Ramboll Group. The company’s Finnish arm will conduct several field surveys, marine archaeological and biological investigations and examinations of the area’s geophysical characteristics.

All planned technical and environmental studies will be carried out in 2023 and 2024, with work to be completed in the middle of 2025, according to preliminary estimates.

The Vagskar complex will be installed in the southern part of the Bothnian Sea, about 30 km (18.6 miles) north of the Aland archipelago. Planned to use 15-MW turbines, it will be located in proximity to Ilmatar’s Stormskar and Vaderskar projects and will create further synergies, Ilmatar said.

Earlier this year, Ilmatar obtained research permits for the development of two wind areas off the coasts of Vaasa and Kokkola, also within the EEZ.