Wind power has provided a source of energy for sailing vessels and windmills for thousands of years. It will remain a renewable and clean energy source until the end of time. There is now a growing interest in wind power after a century dominated by fossil fuel-based energy.

In Sweden, electrical energy production from wind power plants is expected to ten-double in the next ten years.  Södra has long produced biofuel-based green electricity in its pulp mills and has also become a net supplier of electricity in recent years. As demand for clean electricity increases, it is natural to consider the opportunities to further increase Södra’s energy production.

There are many good wind sites on land belonging to Södra members and at Södra mills. Södra is therefore investing in electricity production from wind turbines. The goal is to realise as many profitable wind power projects as possible on Södra members’ land.

Södra and Norwegian energy company Statkraft started a wind power partnership in October 2009. Statkraft is majority owner of the wind power projects run on leased land and Södra is running independent projects on its own land. Södra and Statkraft also own a joint development company that will further expand the wind power project. Projects involving 350 wind turbines are currently underway, representing 1.7 TWh in annual energy production. The projects are currently in various stages of the licensing process, depending on when individual planning started. The first projects are expected to start in 2010 and will be followed by a gradual expansion in coming years. Södra and Statkraft are interested in expanding the cooperation with additional projects with Södra members as well as with other landowners in southern Sweden.

“This is part of a broad alliance to be able to more rapidly develop the sustainable energy solutions demanded by consumers. It assures development of the existing portfolio of wind power projects as well as providing the opportunity to continue developing new ones,” says Södra President and CEO, Leif Brodén.

>> Read more about Statkraft on www.statkraft.no