According to Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen, offshore wind power and the expertise associated with it have enormous potential. He thinks the Pori Offshore Wind Hub is a good example of the infrastructure needed to build offshore wind power facilities.
“I am optimistic about the future prospects of offshore wind power. Finland needs a significant increase in renewable energy production, and the wind conditions in its maritime areas would be excellent for this purpose. On the west coast, the Satakunta and Ostrobothnia regions are among Finland’s most industrialised areas, where highly significant new investments are also being planned,” notes Marttinen.
The government has done its part to improve the operating conditions for offshore wind power. Progress has been made in the areas of taxation and licensing; for example, a proposal concerning real estate tax is currently being considered by Parliament. One of the goals of the proposal is to bring the real estate tax on offshore wind turbines better in line with the tax on onshore wind turbines.
Marttinen also believes that technological advances in the sector will level the production costs between offshore and onshore wind power. Production must of course conform to the market.
Offshore wind power to be included in the next government programme
Marttinen sees that offshore wind power generation must be included in the next government programme. Finland will see a significant increase in new industrial activity in the future, which will require a corresponding increase in electricity generation.
“This is not a political choice, but a matter of national importance. Finland cannot afford not to make the most of the advantages that we have. We have what is perhaps the most advanced energy production system in the world and high-quality industries of the highest level. Our transmission capacity is also sufficient. Our environment is one of the best for expanding offshore wind power capabilities.”
Two offshore wind hubs
According to Marttinen, Finland needs to build the infrastructure necessary to initiate offshore wind power generation.
“I think it takes two ports and sufficient harbour infrastructure for the required storage and assembly facilities.”
The ports of Pori and Raahe have already done a good job of building up their capabilities.
“With our infrastructure on the west coast, we can serve projects across the Baltic Sea region more broadly. Therefore, offshore wind hubs will also significantly boost employment. That is why this is not just a local issue, but a national one.”
Marttinen acknowledges the concern among cities and ports that the infrastructure investments are too costly for individual port companies to manage alone. There needs to be a discussion about national support structures, but Marttinen believes that EU CEF funding, for example, could also be suitable for kickstarting port infrastructure construction. CEF supports various transportation projects, such as ports and military mobility projects.
Indeed, offshore wind power is also preferable from the point of view of energy security. This relates not only to energy self-sufficiency but also to the dual use of the port infrastructure required for wind power in the transport of, e.g., heavy military equipment.
Satakunta approaches a more prominent role
The development of offshore wind hubs aligns with Marttinen’s vision of how ports – particularly those on the west coast – are about to change.
“Industrial production is integrated with ports, transforming them from traditional raw material hubs into modern competence centres.”
In Marttinen’s view, Pori has a strong head start in the construction of an offshore wind hub, which will undoubtedly continue to be an advantage in the future. The Pori region and the entire Satakunta region are in an advantageous position as it is, as the area already has offshore wind power generation and a history of building and operating such facilities.
“Satakunta offers a wealth of opportunities to be involved in the promotion of offshore wind power and its associated competencies.” The investment needs are substantial, but it is also good to set ambitious targets. Offshore wind power value chains have the potential to create many new jobs and competencies in Finland.”