Swedish County Recommends Gov’t Approval for 5.5 GW Aurora Offshore Wind Farm

June 3, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The County Administrative Board of Gotland has suggested that the Government should issue a permit for the Aurora offshore wind farm, a project developed by OX2 and Ingka Investments, under the Act governing Sweden’s exclusive economic zone.

If the government gives an approval, the first phase of the 5.5 GW offshore wind project could be operational by 2030 and deliver over 6 TWh annually to south Sweden.

The Aurora offshore wind farm is located about 22 kilometres south of the island of Gotland and more than 30 kilometres east of the island of Öland in the Baltic Sea.

The entire wind farm is expected to be developed by 2035, producing up to 24 TWh annually.

According to the developers, the Baltic Sea is an important area for the Swedish Armed Forces, and with the help of sensors on the wind turbines, the project could assist with surveillance in the area.

“Aurora can act as an accelerator in the transition to net zero emissions in southern Sweden. The large scale production of electricity will enable a substantial production of hydrogen and e-fuel, which is the prerequisite for fossil-free industry, shipping and aviation,” said Emelie Zakrisson, head of offshore wind development in Sweden, OX2.

“We are working in parallel to secure the connections to the electricity grid as well as signing supplier agreements to be able to start construction as soon as all permits are in place.”

In addition to producing electricity, OX2 is said to be working to improve biodiversity in the area by investigating how the wind farm’s fixed structures can be designed to function as artificial reefs for sessile species and form premises where fish accumulate.

Collaborations are also underway to investigate the possibilities for large-scale mussel farming within the wind farm, which would help reduce eutrophication, said the developers.

In April this year, the County Administrative Board granted the 5.5 GW Aurora offshore wind project a Natura 2000 permit.

OX2 and Ingka Investments are also developing the Galene offshore wind farm that received a permit a year ago, Triton and Neptunus off the coast south of Sweden, and Pleione-Ran off the coast of Gotland.

The companies are also working together on three offshore wind farms off the coast of Finland.