Some 2.4 terawatt hours is SCA’s total annual power consumption in Sweden. Now SCA plans to generate an equal amount via wind-power plants – in cooperation with Statkraft, the Norwegian power producer – in forests in central Sweden. Renewable energy which will replace fossil fuels and thereby reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,380,000 tonnes a year.
Statkraft SCA Vind AB is currently planning the construction of six wind farms in forested areas of northern Sweden. The wind farms will be built predominantly on SCA-owned land, though a small number of other properties will also be affected.
The venture is one of Sweden’s largest industrial investments, encompassing 13,500 hectares of forest and 300 to 500 wind turbines. Each turbine will stand 110 to 115 metres high and span 90 metres.
Though there is just as much wind in the forest as anywhere else, building wind farms in forested areas is a new trend. Initial measurements indicate that there exists a large potential for wind energy in those forested areas now under consideration.
Power generated will be conveyed to the national grid and sold to consumers by Statkraft SCA Vind AB via distributors. The project includes a special energy contract that guarantees SCA 0.5 terawatt hours annually at competitive prices over ten years.