VSB plans 450-MW wind-solar hybrid project in Finland

19 10 2023 | 15:52Edgar Odoi Othiang / CONSTRUCTION REVIEW

VSB Uusiutuva Energia Suomi Oy, the Finnish subsidiary of German renewables developer VSB Group, is gearing up for an ambitious hybrid project in Finland’s North Ostrobothnia region. This innovative venture will combine 350 MW of wind energy with 100 MW of solar capacity, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy generation.

The inaugural hybrid project by VSB Uusiutuva Energia Suomi Oy will be situated in Haapavesi, where the company is preparing to construct the 350 MW Puutionsaari wind park. This wind farm will be complemented by a solar site located on a former peat production area, which VSB acquired. The synergy of wind and solar power is a key strategy in diversifying the renewable energy portfolio.

VSB has already initiated the permitting process for this groundbreaking project and anticipates receiving the necessary clearances by the end of 2023. The technical solutions employed in this hybrid farm have been previously tested and validated in Juurakko, Kalajoki, where VSB collaborated with Solarigo Systems Oy to develop their first wind-solar hybrid farm.

Kimmo Hinno, the mayor of Haapavesi, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Haapavesi does not yet have any industrial-scale solar farms, although the popularity of solar power has grown significantly in North Ostrobothnia. We would love to see one in Puutionsaari in the form of a hybrid farm.”

This endeavor in Haapavesi is not the only hybrid project on VSB Uusiutuva Energia Suomi Oy’s radar. The company is concurrently developing another hybrid wind and PV (photovoltaic) project with a total capacity of 450 MW in the same North Ostrobothnia region.

The cornerstone of the proposed hybrid project is the Puutionsaari wind farm, featuring 49 wind turbines with a collective capacity of 350 MW. This will be seamlessly integrated with a 100 MWp (megawatt-peak) solar farm situated on the former peat extraction site.

The solar project is currently undergoing the approval process, with expectations of completion by the end of the year. The successful realization of this venture will further strengthen Finland’s position in renewable energy generation.

VSB’s earlier experience in Juurakko, Kalajoki, paved the way for the technical feasibility of hybrid parks. Juurakko hosts seven wind turbines with a combined capacity of 40 MW, alongside a 13 MWp solar farm comprising over 24,000 solar cells. This demonstrated the synergy between wind and solar power.

Hybrid parks offer several advantages, including a stable year-round energy supply and efficient integration into the national grid, without requiring additional transmission lines. Moreover, repurposing former peat extraction sites, as seen in the Puutionsaari project, represents an environmentally efficient land use strategy.

Dr. Felix Grolman, CEO of VSB Group, emphasized the significance of combining solar and wind energy in hybrid projects, stating, “The combination of solar and wind energy in hybrid projects is not just a sign of innovation, but also an essential step towards a comprehensive energy transition.”

The VSB Group’s pioneering efforts in Finland underscore the growing importance of hybrid renewable energy solutions in the global transition to a more sustainable and diversified energy mix.

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