The municipality of Korsnas in Finland has approved preliminary plans by state-owned company Metsahallitus for an offshore wind farm off the coast of the region in the west of the country.
The 180km-squared Korsnas offshore wind farm project area is located in public waters managed by Metsahallitus, about 15km from the coast.
Final capacity will depend on a number of criteria, including technological developments, the make-up of the seabed and grid connection capacity, the company said.
However, it envisages “dozens” of turbines of between 12MW and 20MW to be deployed.
The final size of the project will be determined during the planning processes, the company added.
Metsahallitus said project development including wind measurements, environmental impact assessment and zoning, and the application for water and building permits, is estimated to take about four years.
The company, which manages 120,000 square kilometres of state-owned land and waters in Finland, is also seeking a partner to develop the project.
Once the permits for the project have been secured, the rights to build and operate the wind farm will be sold to either the project partner or a third party.
The marine area will not be sold, but will remain state-owned and Metsahallitus will charge an annual fee for its use.
Metsahallitus has issued a tender for a financial advisor to support the selection of a partner for the project.
Interested parties have until 4 January to apply.