Pjelax, the nation’s third-largest wind farm, to generate 5% of Finland’s total wind power
Finland marked a significant step towards its clean energy goals on Tuesday with the inauguration of the Pjelax wind farm, the country’s third-largest.
The 380-megawatt wind farm, a joint project by Finnish energy companies Fortum and Helen, is located in the western regions of Närpiö and Kristiinankaupunki. Comprised of 56 wind turbines, Pjelax is expected to generate over 1 terawatt-hour (TWh) of clean electricity annually, contributing roughly 5% of Finland’s total wind power production.
“With Pjelax, we are doubling Fortum’s wind power capacity,” said Markus Rauramo, President and CEO of Fortum. “Wind power is crucial to our portfolio of zero-emission generation sources. This project aligns with our strategy of supplying clean electricity across the Nordic countries and supporting industrial decarbonization efforts. Pjelax is a prime example of how Fortum empowers its customers to reduce their carbon footprint.”
Helen, Fortum’s partner in the project, owns 40% of the wind farm and will purchase nearly half of its electricity production throughout its operational life. “The Pjelax wind farm is a testament to the successful collaboration between Helen and Fortum to bolster Finland’s renewable energy production,” said Olli Sirkka, CEO of Helen. “Wind power generation strengthens Finland’s competitive edge. Expanding our wind capacity lowers electricity prices for consumers and facilitates investments in clean energy consumption.”
Construction of the wind farm began in January 2022 and was completed on schedule. The project involved extensive infrastructure and earthworks undertaken by Suvic Oy and Simons Infra Oy, both Finnish companies. The transportation of the massive wind turbines, a complex logistical feat, involved 728 special transport operations through the port of Kaskinen, averaging 13 trips per turbine. The wind farm is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region through property tax revenue and municipal land rental income, totaling millions of euros annually.
Over 400 landowners, local businesses, and organizations played a key role in the project’s success, alongside Finland’s transmission system operator, Fingrid, and Nordex, the turbine supplier. The inauguration ceremony was a celebration of this collective effort and Finland’s commitment to a clean energy future.