First offshore wind power research permits granted for Finland’s exclusive economic zone

The Government will make a decision on who will carry out the offshore wind farm in the research area in connection with the construction permit for the exclusive economic zone, after the environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been completed. The projects also require a permit in accordance with the Water Act.

Offshore wind project developers have become increasingly interested in the Finnish sea areas in recent times. In December, the Government’s Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy supported the proposal for an auction modelLink to an external website that is to be applied to leasing public water areas governed by Metsähallitus to private companies for offshore wind development and construction projects. However, the developers of offshore wind are also interested in sea areas beyond those governed by Metsähallitus.  

The exclusive economic zone is an international sea area where the Act on the Exclusive Economic Zone of Finland applies. Until now, the permit process for the zone’s economic exploitation has mainly concerned infrastructure projects, and legislation does not adequately consider the special characteristics of offshore wind. Most significantly, the legislation does not provide solutions in a situation where more than one operator is interested in the same sea area. 

The pre-construction studies required for offshore wind fams can cost several million euros, which contributes to a considerable risk for the project developers. At present, the risk is increased by legislation, which allows the granting of research permits to multiple operators for the same area. The legislation also does not give priority in the construction to the operator carrying out the studies, in the case that the area proves suitable for offshore wind and the project is economically viable. 

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, together with other ministries, will assess the needs to develop procedures and legislation concerning the use of the exclusive economic zone from the perspective of offshore wind.

Offshore wind is currently not profitable on market terms in Finnish sea areas, but the situation may change in the coming years due to technological advancements and lower costs. The project development periods for offshore wind projects are usually long, between 5 and 10 years. 

For the development of projects, it is important to create functional and predictable regulation and administrative procedures at an early stage that guarantee sufficient investment certainty in order to prepare for an improved profitability of offshore wind.