Finland rejects 16 applications for offshore wind exploitation

The Finnish government has turned down 16 applications seeking exploitation rights for offshore wind power development in the Nordic country’s exclusive economic zone.

Most of the areas covered by the applications are located in the Gulf of Bothnia and overlap each other, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment said on Thursday. It specified, however, that its decision does not ban the development of offshore wind projects in the specific areas.

The negative outcome is based on the government’s goal to "create a predictable, clear and fair investment environment” and potential consequences of such awards on legislation for the exclusive economic zone that is being prepared. The plan is to select and tender the first offshore wind projects to be developed within that zone at the end of this year.

Applications for offshore exploitation rights were submitted by OX2 Finland’s subsidiaries Halla Offshore Wind Oy and Laine Offshore Wind Oy; Eolus Offshore’s Navakka Offshore Ab and Wellamo Offshore Ab units; Skyborn Renewables Offshore Finland Oy; three subsidiaries of Ilmatar Energy Oy; Suomen Hyotytuuli Oy; and Pohjan Puhuri Oy and Pohjan Viima Oy, owned by a fund managed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.

All applicants sought to gain exclusive exploitation rights to use an area for offshore wind power generation for 40–70 years. They submitted projects in different stages of development.

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