The wind power industry has expressed criticism over the government’s decision to delay offshore wind power projects in Finland. The Ministry of Labor and Economy had previously granted exclusive rights to 11 companies for the development of offshore wind power in 16 areas in the Gulf of Pohjanlahti. However, the government has now decided not to grant any exclusive rights to Finland’s economic zone for this purpose.
The decision means that no specific company will have a monopoly on these areas for a set period of time, and this has raised concerns among some players in the industry. According to Kari Klemm, an advisor to the Ministry of Labor and Economic Affairs, while the government supports offshore wind power projects, it must ensure that their broader impacts are taken into account. To address this issue, the ministry is currently preparing a new law on offshore wind power in Finland’s economic zone.
Finland’s utility wind and Swedish OX2 are among those companies that have raised concerns about the negative impact of this decision on their offshore wind projects. They believe that this will slow down development and delay timelines for future projects. However, they hope that minimal disruption will occur and they are optimistic about future tenders in the economic zone.
Suomen Tuulivoimayhdistys, an industry interest organization, also echoed these concerns, stating that they expect high expectations from the new economic zone offshore wind power law and future tenders in this area. While some see this as a setback for the industry, others view it as an opportunity to develop more sustainable energy solutions while taking into consideration all stakeholders involved.
In summary, while some players in the wind power industry have criticized the government’s decision to delay offshore wind power projects in Finland’s economic zone, others are optimistic about future developments and opportunities for sustainable energy solutions.