The Town of Kauhajoki has taken steps to prepare itself for cooperation with energy sector companies to promote the production of renewable energy. With Skarta Energy Oy and Windelligence Oy, opportunities for the production of renewable energy and local energy will be explored in the Aronkylä industrial area of Kauhajoki and its surroundings. An objective of the cooperation is production of affordable renewable energy for the companies in the industrial area.
On 12 September 2022, the Council of the Town of Kauhajoki approved the letter of intent prepared by the town and Skarta Energy Oy, which agreed on the initiation of cooperation regarding the evaluation of jointly defined sites and permit and land use planning processes. The letter of intent agrees on the principles by which the town will give the developer the exclusive right to carry out a technical and financial evaluation of the pre-agreed sites and assess their suitability for the construction of infrastructure for and production of renewable energy. The parties also agreed to aim to continue their cooperation to the production realisation phase, if suitable sites are found on the basis of the evaluation. The agreement does not include a commitment to any pre-identified solution.
The cooperation companies will assess the sites’ suitability for the production of renewable energy. The Town of Kauhajoki will, among other things, identify land use planning needs associated with potential new production and be involved in the preparations for broader cooperation.
The project will explore the potential for production of wind power, solar power, biogas and hydrogen in the area around Aronkylä. The cooperation work will also explore whether energy produced in the Aronkylä area could be sold directly to companies in the industrial area for a competitive price. Additionally, opportunities for arranging the distribution of alternative fuels will be explored around the main roads of Aronkylä.
