In recent years, the construction of offshore wind power in Finland’s economic zone has faced numerous challenges due to regulatory hurdles. The latest development in this saga is the decision by the government to delay the construction of offshore wind power in the region. This move has sparked criticism from some players in the wind power industry, who fear that it will hinder their ability to invest in and develop these projects.
The government had received applications from 11 companies for 16 areas in the Gulf of Pohjanlahti, but instead of granting exclusive rights for the construction of offshore wind power in these areas for a fixed period, they chose not to make any decisions. This means that these areas will not be reserved exclusively for specific companies.
The Ministry of Labor and Economy explained that this decision was made with the intention of clarifying the rules surrounding the construction of wind power in the economic zone. Currently, there are no regulations governing taxation of wind power construction or how offshore wind power areas are divided. However, the government is supportive of offshore wind power projects and aims to promote their construction in the Baltic Sea. They also recognize that such projects have a significant impact on shipping traffic and must be carefully considered before moving forward.
In response to this decision, some companies expressed concerns about delays to their offshore wind projects due to this lack of clarity on regulations and timelines. Finland’s utility company and Swedish OX2 were among those who voiced opposition to this move. The industry’s interest organization, Suomen Tuulivoimayhdistys, also highlighted how this decision could impact future investment and development opportunities in offshore wind energy projects in Finland’s economic zone.
To address these concerns and provide more clarity around regulations for offshore wind energy projects, a new law is being prepared by
