The plan to add Europe’s largest onshore wind power plants to the pristine coastal scenery in Central Norway evokes both jubilation and worry. The six wind farms will be located in Fosenhalvøya, Hitra and Snillfjord.
Statkraft, TrønderEnergi and Nordic Windpower DA will cooperate in building the largest onshore wind farms in Europe. The companies will invest about 11 billion in the six wind farms, who, taken together will, provide 1,000 megawatts (MW).
The wind farms are built on the Fosen peninsula, Hitra and Snillfjord, in a coastal area cwith some of the best conditions for wind power production in Europe. The concession was granted in August 2013, but shelved last summer due to lack of profitability.
The power companies and Statnett announced later a new report based on new and improved conditions, including the right to build a bigger share of the project north of the Trondheim Fjord, where the wind resource is larger and provides enhanced profitability.
An important day
– This is an important day for Statkraft and Norway. Together with our partners, we have invested in the largest project in renewable energy in Norway for many years. With this project, Statkraft will be one of the leading players in wind power on land, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, President and CEO of Statkraft, says.
The Fosen Wind project include the wind farms Harbaksfjell, Roan, Storheia and Kvenndalsfjellet the north of Trondheim Fjord (approximately 750 MW) and wind farms Geitfjellet and Hitra 2 south of Trondheim Fjord (approximately 250 MW).
– A boost for renewable energy
The plants will provide 40- 50 new jobs when they are finished and bring more revenue for landowners and the affected municipalities, according to the TV and radio channel NRK.
– I am pleased that we now will witness major wind power development in Trøndelag. This is one of the largest industrial projects in mainland Norway. It will be a boost for investment in renewable energy in Norway. And it shows that the framework conditions in Norway are good and lead to people investing in projects, Prime Minister Erna Solberg says.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
