Magnora in Norway has increased its ownership share in Kustvind AB, which has been developing a 500-MW shallow water offshore wind project in southern Sweden
Magnora first announced plans to accelerate development of the Sydkustens Vind project in July 2020. It is located approximately 8 km offshore the southern coast of Sweden.
Magnora said that, in recent months, its project organisation has initiated a licensing process, with environmental surveys, such as mapping of cranes and bats carried out. Final analysis of the survey results is ongoing.
The companies have also carried out grid analyses to prepare for connection to the regional and national grid systems.
A consultation process with national and regional authorities and nearby municipalities has started. In addition, opinion surveys have been carried out in the municipalities of Skurup and Trelleborg. These have demonstrated that the population supports the establishment of the windfarm.
Magnora executive chairman Torstein Sanness said, “This project can increase the capacity to supply green energy to local industrial power consumers, and production of hydrogen to provide clean fuel to local transportation.
“We are mapping out what local needs exist and those that will come as a result of the long-term trend to electrification.
“Realising local electric power plants is one of the keys to ensuring an adequate supply of clean electricity to local businesses without unnecessary expansion of the national grid.”
Mr Sanness said that in the long-term, the region will need more electricity and Magnora believes that its project will help meet that demand.
As highlighted recently by OWJ, Swedes in the southernmost region of their country use far more electricity than the region generates, but analysis by Aegir Insights suggests offshore wind could help provide a solution.
Aegir Insights believes offshore wind is especially promising for southern Sweden due to the high wind speeds there, a capable supply chain, suitable harbours and easily accessible grid connection points. The water off the coast of southern Sweden is also shallow, allowing for fixed-bottom wind turbines
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