Fortum has a stake in the Blaiken wind power project in Sweden, in which the other owner is the Swedish company Skellefteå Kraft. The partners’ joint venture, Blaiken Vind AB, is planning the construction of the wind farm in the Blaiken region in northern Sweden. A maximum of 100 wind power stations are planned in the wind farm with a maximum total capacity of as much as 250 MW.
Blaiken is becoming one of Europe’s largest land-based wind farms. Its annual output is estimated to be between 600 and 720 GWh.
According to the plan, the wind farm will be built in phases. Construction will begin in 2011 and the wind farm is expected to be completed in 2015. The investment during the project will total EUR 400 million at the most, of which Fortum’s share is 40 per cent and Skellefteå Kraft’s share 60 per cent.
In a national wind survey carried out by Uppsala University, the Blaiken region is estimated to be a very good area for wind power generation. According to the surveys, Blaiken has good wind conditions especially during the winter months, when also the electricity need peaks. A hydro power plant in the vicinity of the area enables cost-effective connection of the wind power plants in the main grid.
Fortum is also planning to construct a wind farm in the Orsa Finnmark region in Dalarna in Sweden. With regard to its wind conditions, the area is considered nationally significant. The plan comprises a maximum of 8 wind power stations of 2–3 MW.