Skarta Energy expands its plans in Utajärvi – plans for a large hybrid park

Skarta Energy and the municipality of Utajärvi have agreed on the lease of approximately 220 hectares of land in Hietaselkä, owned by the municipality, for the development of a hybrid park. The plan for the Hietaselkä area includes 100 MWp of industrial solar power and a maximum of 45 MWp of wind power. The plans also include a possible energy storage. The lease has been signed for 50 years and the contract can be extended by 10 years.

The Hietaselkä area of Utajärvi will be completely zoned as an energy production area. The purpose of the partial master plan to be drawn up for the Hietaselkä area is to enable the construction of a maximum of four wind turbines, solar power plants and other industrial activities.

The aim is to create a local energy area

The Hietaselkä project area is located in the municipality of Utajärvi in Northern Ostrobothnia region in Finland. The goal of the municipality of Utajärvi is to form a new area of industrial activities. The common goal of the municipality of Utajärvi and Skarta Energy is to create a local energy area where energy production and consumption take place on the same large property.

"The local energy area will now receive a supplement in terms of wind power energy in accordance with the original plan. We have been zoning land areas for a few years now, and now companies coming to the industrial area will be able to benefit from clean and affordable local energy in the future. In cooperation with companies, we take carbon-smart measures that generate vitality and business benefits for both of us," says Anne Sormunen, Mayor of Utajärvi.

Nearly 250 MWp worth of renewable energy from Utajärvi

Hietaselkä’s plan for 145 MWp of production will increase the amount of renewable energy produced by Skarta Energy in Utajärvi to almost 250 MWp. Skarta Energy started the construction of a 103.2 MWp solar park in Isosuo, Utajärvi, in early 2024. The construction of the Isosuo solar park will take two years, and the plan is to commission the park in stages, so that the complex will be completed during the first half of 2026. The construction schedule for the Hietaselkä project area will be specified as the permit process progresses.

"Skarta Energy aims for 800 MWp of solar power capacity by the end of 2028. Achieving this goal requires swift and smooth decision-making also in municipalities. Smooth and good cooperation with the municipality has played a decisive role in the fact that we started planning the second large project entity in Utajärvi. In Utajärvi, we have good opportunities to develop our Near Energy concept and local energy sales opportunities," says Mika Paloranta, CEO of Skarta Energy.