In 2022, Finland achieved a groundbreaking milestone, adding 2.4 gigawatts of wind power capacity, ranking among Europe's top wind power leaders, closely following Germany and Sweden. The driving force behind this surge in wind power investment is clear: onshore wind energy is now the most cost-effective means of electricity generation in Finland. Facilitating this transition is Hitachi Energy, a global leader in power transformers and grid connection solutions.

Matti Vaattovaara, Country Managing Director for Finland at Hitachi Energy, emphasizes their significant role, stating, "Onshore wind is currently the most economical way to generate electricity in Finland, and Hitachi Energy significantly contributes to it with our power transformers and grid connection solutions."

The demand for clean energy in Finland is undeniable, with a record number of inquiries received by Finnish grid operator Fingrid for renewable electricity generation. With an astonishing 200,000 megawatts of inquiries to connect wind farms to the grid, it's evident that wind power is on the rise, well beyond the country's current peak demand of 15,000 MW.

In Finland's vast and sparsely populated landscapes, the conditions for expanding wind power are ideal. In 2022, wind power contributed to around 14 percent of Finland's electricity generation, slightly below the European average. As the industrial and transportation sectors in Finland rapidly shift towards electrification and clean energy production, the growth in renewable electricity projects is continuous.

Hitachi Energy, known for its power transformers and grid connection solutions, is committed to supporting the energy transition in Europe. Their expertise extends beyond installation, offering monitoring, operation, and maintenance services that leverage real-time data to ensure effective power transformer maintenance. With power transformers having a life cycle of up to 40 years, proactive monitoring is essential to prevent disruptions in energy production.

The future looks promising for wind power construction in Finland, with an estimated annual addition of 1,500 MW of new wind power capacity. This translates to significant electricity contributions, equivalent to the output of a nuclear power plant.

Johan Söderström, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hitachi Energy, acknowledges the growing importance of offshore wind power, particularly in Europe's quest for climate neutrality by 2050. Hitachi Energy has already secured a landmark offshore wind agreement with TenneT, a project that involves six offshore wind farms with a combined capacity of 2 GW, demonstrating their expertise in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission.

As Europe accelerates its energy transition, Johan Söderström emphasizes the importance of attracting talent and collaboration to secure a sustainable energy future. Hitachi Energy's commitment extends from projects to programs, ensuring the necessary capacity for a green energy transition.

Source: hitachienergy.com