Fortum launches cooperation to unlock wind power potential and support electrification in Eastern Finland

Fortum and Tornator, Finland’s largest private landowner, have agreed to cooperate on unlocking wind power development opportunities in Eastern Finland, a region with significant renewable energy potential and strategic importance for Finland’s long-term electrification and energy security.

A particular challenge in the region is balancing wind power development with national surveillance and defence requirements. Therefore, the conditions for wind power development need to be assessed from a broader regional perspective and in close dialogue with defence authorities.

The cooperation covers potential project areas in the municipalities of Juuka, Polvijärvi, Lieksa and Outokumpu, with a combined potential of up to 1,000 MW of wind power capacity. The permitting process for the projects has not yet started. However, preliminary assessments have identified the areas as potentially suitable for wind power development, taking into account factors such as environmental values and distances to residential areas.

"For Fortum, renewable energy development in Eastern Finland is an important part of Finland’s long-term electrification, energy self-sufficiency and the development of a sustainable energy system. We believe this cooperation will help build a shared understanding among stakeholders and contribute concretely to the future development of Eastern Finland," says Heikki Keskiväli, Vice President of Renewables at Fortum.

"The future development of Eastern Finland requires broad cooperation and a common situational understanding among different stakeholders. As a local landowner, Tornator sees it as important to participate in evaluating the region’s long-term opportunities together with Fortum, so that potential solutions can be developed sustainably for the future," says Paula Mäki, Wind Power Manager at Tornator.

Fortum currently has approximately 8 GW of onshore wind and solar projects in various stages of development and permitting across the Nordics. The company has set a strategic target of developing 1.2 GW of construction-ready renewable energy projects by the end of 2028.

 

Fortum Corporation
Communications

Further information:
Fortum News Desk, newsdesk@fortum.com, +358 40 198 2843