In a significant development for renewable energy enthusiasts, the Turkselkä wind power project, situated in Vaala, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland, has undergone a change in management, with Swedish developer OX2 taking over the reins from Tuulialfa. This transition marks a pivotal juncture as the project advances towards its implementation phase, boasting a formidable array of 42 wind turbines.
The project’s strategic location resides to the north of Kajaanintie, positioned on the cusp of three municipalities: Vaala, Paltamo, and Puolanka. The noteworthy environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for the initiative was meticulously conducted from 2018 to 2019, culminating in the endorsement of a partial master plan by the Vaala municipal council in the summer of 2020.
Veli-Pekka Alkula, the Project Development Director for onshore wind power at OX2, expressed enthusiasm about the venture’s consolidation within the familiar precincts of Vaala. Alkula remarked, “It is great to be able to implement the Turkselkä project in the municipality of Vaala, which we are already familiar with. This is where the Metsälamminkangas wind farm, which we implemented and started operations last year, is located.”
To facilitate the integration of the wind farm into the electricity grid, a novel 110kv transmission line is set to be erected at Fingrid’s Nuojuankangas substation. The timeline ahead encompasses preparatory endeavors throughout the ongoing year and the subsequent one, as stakeholders gear up for an investment decision regarding the project’s execution. Further stages encompass meticulous planning, contract tenders for construction-related aspects and procurement processes, including wind turbines.
Niklas Hokka, the Project Manager at OX2, elucidated on the pragmatic approach moving forward. “During the construction phase, we will make maximum use of the local workforce, and we will announce cooperation opportunities as the project progresses,” Hokka affirmed, underlining the commitment to local engagement and community involvement as the Turkselkä wind power project advances towards fulfilling its potential as a robust source of sustainable energy.
