Developers have commissioned Sweden’s largest utility-scale solar farm.
Nordic independent power producer Alight and renewables developer Neoen said the 100MWp Hultsfred solar farm is now fully operational.
Located at Hultsfred Airport in Småland, the solar farm (pictured) has 174 000 low-carbon photovoltaic panels installed around the runway.
With an installed capacity of 100MWp, it will generate approximately 100GWh annually, equivalent to the electricity consumption of over 18,000 average Swedish houses.
Spread across about 130 hectares (about 185 football fields), the installation marks a milestone in the country’s renewable energy transition.
The project was made possible by a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) signed at the end of 2022 with H&M Group, under which the solar park will provide the Swedish fashion retailer with 95% of the renewable energy and guarantees of origin produced.
The agreement plays a key role in H&M Group’s goal to gain all its power from renewable energy sources by 2030.
Alight chief executive Warren Campbell said: “Bringing this solar farm into operation with our partner Neoen and PPA offtaker H&M represents a milestone for us and demonstrates that the Swedish market can deliver large-scale, unsubsidised renewable energy fast.
“It’s a landmark achievement in Swedish renewable power production.”
Managing director for Neoen Sweden Laetitia Prot said: “I would like to congratulate our partners Alight, H&M, Equans & Solkompaniet, E.ON, and the municipality for this great achievement.
“Hultsfred solar farm is our fourth asset entering into operation in Sweden with a total fleet of now 304MW (after Storbränkullen wind farm, Storen Power Reserve battery and Isbillen Power Reserve battery).
“With these complementary three technologies at scale, we are actively contributing to Sweden’s competitive and clean energy transition.”
The project’s development was underpinned by structured debt financing from Danske Bank. The solar farm was built by EPC Equans Energy and Storage – Solkompaniet consortium and is connected to the E.ON local grid distribution system in Hultsfred.
Head of sustainability for H&M Northern Europe Marcus Hartmann said: “As a global fashion player, we have both the power and the responsibility to drive the energy transition, and with the solar park in Hultsfred, we are taking another step on that journey.
“Through our collaboration with Alight and Neoen, we are creating new renewable electricity capacity in Sweden, which strengthens the supply of renewable energy and brings us closer to our goal of a circular business with net zero emissions.
“This is not just an investment in our business – it is an investment in the future.”