Massive Aurora offshore wind farm gets environmental tick

Spinning offshore wind turbines against pretty sky (aurora offshore)
Image: Shutterstock

OX2 and Ingka Investments‘ proposed 5.5GW Aurora offshore wind project—slated to become the largest offshore wind farm in the world—is a step closer after securing a Natura 2000 environmental permit.

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Aurora’s proposed site is 22km south of Gotland and more than 30km east of Öland in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Sweden. If the government gives final approval for the massive offshore wind project, construction could start by 2028 and production start before 2030.

Aurora could produce up to 24TWh upon completion. The Baltic Sea is also an area of importance for the Swedish Armed Forces and, with the help of sensors on the turbines, the wind farm could assist with surveillance and control in the area.

OX2 head of development of offshore wind in Sweden Emelie Zakrisson said, “Aurora is a wind farm that can really make a real difference and act as a motor in the net zero transition in the southern parts of Sweden. Export cables from the farm are planned to go to the mainland but also directly to Gotland.

“The large-scale production from Aurora would facilitate for more local electricity production to be developed as well as hydrogen production to help decarbonize industry and heavy transports.”

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Natura 2000 is one of several permits that need to be in place for the project. The next step is for the County Administrative Board to propose to the government that the wind farm can be built according to the Act of Sweden’s exclusive economic zone.

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