Since 2022, one of the easternmost wind farms in Finland has been under development in Pieksämäki. Covering an area of 2860 hectares, the Sarvikangas wind farm is planned to have 25 wind turbines and a total output of 200 MW, making it the largest wind farm in Eastern Finland. Energy production is expected to start in 2027–28.
“Etha has been involved in the project since the very beginning. After we had carried out preliminary studies to evaluate the land area’s suitability for wind power, the project company Sarvikankaan Tuuli Oy was established with our help in 2022”, says Jukka Rönnlund, Project Manager at Etha and for the Sarvikangas project.
A smooth EIA procedure
After its establishment, the project company engaged Etha as Development Consultant for the project.
“All our teams at Etha have taken part in this project, from technical assessments and permitting to securing a partner and thus financing for continued development. We have also been in charge of overall project development and project company management”, states Jessica Dahlfors, Legal Associate and Transaction Manager at Etha.
In April 2024, the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) process was completed.
Land use plan in preparation
The next step in the project is to get approval for the land use plan that Etha has been supporting as well. The goal is to achieve this during 2024.
“This is a significant project for the whole South Savo region. To make the project possible, the South Savo Regional Council is working on a regional land use plan, which in turn allows the municipality to prepare the Sarvikangas farm’s land use plan”, Rönnlund says.