Finsilva, one of the largest forest owners in Finland, and renewable energy producer Neoen have signed a cooperation agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to survey the suitability of areas in Pirkanmaa and Western Uusimaa for solar power production.
Neoen is one of the world’s leading independent producers of renewable energy, operating or constructing more than 5.4 GW of solar, wind and storage capacity in eleven different countries. The company’s operations include, for example, France’s largest solar park in Cestas (300 MWp) and two battery storages in Australia, which are among the largest in the world: The Hornsdale Power Reserve (150 MW/193.5 MWh) and the Victorian Big Battery (300 MW/450 MWh). Neoen has operated in Finland since 2018, and its assets in Finland include the Hedet Wind Farm (81 MW), Yllikkälä Power Reserve (30 MW/30 MWh) and Mutkalampi Wind Farm (404 MW) under construction. Finland is in Neoen’s top three countries in terms of installed power (515 MW in total).
The cooperation agreement between Finsilva and Neoen is an important step in the utilisation of solar power in Finland. The areas to be surveyed are located in Tampere, Ikaalinen, Orivesi and Karkkila. The areas cover a total of 1,900 hectares.
Arto Hirvonen, Project Manager at Neoen, is pleased with the agreement signed with Finsilva: “This agreement between Neoen and Finsilva enables the implementation of a unique-sized project in Finland. We believe that solar power will play a significant role in Finland in the coming years. Solar power reduces carbon dioxide emissions and increases our energy self-sufficiency. When implemented, this will be a substantial investment in Finland. For local communities, renewable energy projects create jobs and bring millions of euros in taxes.”
Finsilva’s Managing Director Juha Hakkarainen is also happy about the opportunities provided by the agreement: “This agreement fits well in our new strategy. The future will bring new, interesting opportunities in our field, which we have decided to grasp. We want to be the pioneer in the responsible and diversified utilisation of the forest and nature-related assets.”
Renewable energy is the fastest developing form or energy globally, and modern technologies enable new kinds of added value services. Sustainably maintained forests in Finland create a significant economic sector that is based on renewable raw materials.
“It is great that the solar power opportunities in Finland will be surveyed. As a large-scale forest owner, we know how important it is that local conditions are considered in each site. This now concluded agreement takes into account deforestation and biodiversity in all its solutions. The projects must have a net positive impact, which is what we are starting to survey,” says Hakkarainen.
Neoen
Neoen is one of the world’s leading independent producers of exclusively renewable energy. Neoen has over 5.4 GW of solar, wind and storage capacity in operation or under construction in Australia, France, Finland, Mexico, El Salvador, Argentina, Ireland, Portugal, Jamaica, Mozambique, and Zambia. The company is also active in Croatia, Ecuador, Italy, Sweden, and the USA. Neoen’s flagship assets include France’s most powerful solar farm in Cestas (300 MWp), and two of the world’s largest lithium-ion batteries: Hornsdale Power Reserve (150 MW / 193.5 MWh) and the Victorian Big Battery (300 MW / 450 MWh), in Australia. Neoen is targeting more than 10 GW capacity in operation or under construction by the end of 2025. Neoen (ISIN Code: FR0011675362, ticker: NEOEN) is listed in Compartment A of the regulated market of Euronext Paris.
For more information: www.neoen.com and https://neoen.com/fi/neoen-finland/
Finsilva
Finsilva produces financial, social and ecological well-being from nature. As one of the largest private, independent forest owners in Europe, we are now entering a new era. In accordance with our strategy, we are transforming from a traditional and reliable forestry expert into a comprehensive forest and nature capital company. Finsilva wants to be well-known pioneer and influencer in its field in terms of responsible and diversified utilisation of forest and nature-related assets. We own approximately 135,000 hectares of well-maintained forests, the majority of which are located in the southern and central Finland. Responsibility and sustainable development are the cornerstones of all our operations. Taking care of the recreational value of our forests and the respect for nature are our key values and objectives. Finsilva is owned by Dasos’ forest funds and Metsärahasto II Ky (Ilmarinen).
More information available at www.finsilva.fi
