Södra is supplying the electricity market with increasing quantities of green electricity. Its pulp mills in Mönsterås, Mörrum, Värö and Tofte produce 1700 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electrical energy annually. Södra sells approximately 150 GWh of this on the open electricity market, and uses the rest in production.

In recent years, Södra has invested SEK 582 million in new turbines for pulp mills to improve the efficiency of electricity production and enable mills to generate more electricity.

Sweden’s system of green electricity certificates has made it financially worthwhile to invest in electricity production. Södra is now  is also now planning a major investment in wind power, another renewable source of energy.

Next step is wind power
Södra is planning wind power investments of approximately SEK 650 million, representing annual production of 140 GWh. This includes an SEK 81 million investment in wind turbines at the Värö mill, a location with the advantage of westerly winds as well as power lines and maintenance personnel around the clock. Södra’s other mills also have windy locations and wind power investments are being considered. 

The Södra Board has also made a principle decision to invest in wind turbines at the Södra Cell Mörrum and Södra Cell Mönsterås pulp mills. This involves seven wind turbines with a total value of SEK 210 M.

The biggest single step in wind power to date has been the decision to invest in 13 wind turbines in Släne in Varberg municipality, a total investment of SEK 360 M.
Opportunities for further investment in wind power in Södra forests are under review. Certain properties have windy locations which would be ideal for producing renewable energy.

As the heavy demand for wind turbines is extending delivery times, it is expected the first turbines will be commissioned in 2009.