“The offshore wind hub is one of the key sources of future growth for Pori, and we will invest heavily in it,” says Lauri Kilkku, Head of Administration at the City of Pori.
Kilkku believes that in the future, Pori will be the base for building offshore wind turbines in the Bothnian Sea.
“Our market area extends from the northern parts of Ahvenanmaa to Kvarken, both in Finland and Sweden. Our goal is to become the centre of the whole area.”
The city is committed to the project, and the positive impacts of the wind hub are expected to extend out wide.
“Pre-installation and maintenance will have their own separate ecosystem. What is even more significant is that the Pori area attracts industry that uses emission-free energy produced by the wind farms.”
Value in industrial heritage
Pori has already profiled itself as an industrial hub for the green transition. Examples of circular workflows include the recycling of battery materials, the production of vanadium from the side streams of steel mills and the production of bioethanol and lignin from sawdust. The production of fuels such as hydrogen and e-methane is also an important sector. The spectrum of industries is diverse, and the offshore wind hub is a natural next step in the overall development.
According to Kilkku, international investors appreciate Pori, particularly its strong industrial tradition.
“We have companies that provide both industrial infrastructure and services needed by industrial companies. In addition, local residents have expertise in various industrial activities – they are not afraid of industrial operations, but have always seen them as a source of prosperity. Pori is also a living example of the successful coexistence of industry and unique nature,” says Kilkku, listing the strengths appreciated by industrial investors.
Quick start
The preliminary plans for the offshore wind hub are ready and the total investment amount is known, and the team is currently investigating business models and different financing options. Good preliminary preparation is crucial, as it ensures a quick start for the construction of the wind hub as soon as the energy companies make decisions on their own investments.
“Timing is everything. We are ready to act as soon as the wind power investments start. Much has already been done: the infrastructure of the port, which serves as the base of the offshore wind hub, has been improved and there is a long-term development plan for the area.”
As part of the preparatory measures, the City of Pori and Enersense, which manufactures the bases of the power plants, have agreed on restoring control of the leased land area to Suisto Kiinteistöt, which is part of the City of Pori Group. All the land areas needed by the wind hub are now under the city’s control: the area can be developed as a whole that serves the needs of the wind farm constructors as well as possible.
“We have designed a functional system in the port area: how the components are unloaded from the ships, where they are stored, in which quay areas pre-installation is carried out and where the operating base of the wind farm service vessels is.”
The city is primarily an enabler for the offshore wind hub. The City Group – in particular, the Port of Pori and Suisto Kiinteistöt – participates in financing the first investments, but private companies will play a greater role in the future.
“Of course, companies have the best insight into which business areas are growing. One of the major themes is environmental awareness, which is, alongside electrification, a key megatrend behind investments in the green transition of this kind. We are building a better world together.”