The Ministry of Labor and the Economy has granted Ilmatar for Offshore research permit for two areas in Finland’s economic zone.

Ilmatar Offshore has previously announced that the development of the projects in question has been temporarily suspended. However, after the research permit is granted, the work continues and the areas receive the status of an official project.

The total extent of the areas is approximately 700 square kilometers. One area is located about 30 kilometers from Pietarsaari and the other about 70 kilometers southwest of Vaasa.

“Of course, the regions are still interesting for us. The permit procedure in the economic zone areas is still unclear, and we know that obtaining a research permit or presenting a completed environmental impact statement does not give priority”, Ilmatar Offshore’s regional manager Anna Häger says in the announcement.

The names of the projects located outside Ostrobothnia’s coastal waters are Voima (Kraft) and Norrskär. The areas are 323 and 389 square kilometers. According to Ilmattare, the number and power of the turbines cannot be estimated yet, but the conditions for the production of offshore wind power are considered very good.

“We are now continuing to receive bids for bottom surveys and environmental impact assessments of the areas, and we plan to start work as soon as the sea conditions allow it.”