Project planning

The self-government of Åland entitles the province to pass legislation on internal matters, including territorial waters. The laws that concern the Sunnanvind project are essentially:

• Plan- och bygglagen (2008:102) för landskapet Åland
• Plan- och byggförordningen (2008:107)
• Landskapsförordningen (2015:5) om Ålands byggbestämmelsesamling
• Lagstiftning och förordningar som berör miljöbedömning, miljöskydd, vattenlag, maritimt kulturarv och naturvård:
  • Landskapslagen (2018:31) om miljökonsekvensbedömning och miljöbedömning  
  • Landskapsförordningen (2018:33) om miljökonsekvensbedömning och miljöbedömning  
  • Landskapslag (2008:124) om miljöskydd
  • Landskapsförordning (2008:130) om miljöskydd
  • Vattenlag (1996:61) för landskapet Åland
  • Landskapslag (2007:19) om skydd av det maritima kulturarvet
  • Landskapslagen (1998:82) om naturvård
  • Landskapsförordning (2023:88) om naturvård

• The Åland Maritime Spatial Plan is adopted by the Åland Provincial Government on 18 March 2021, and describes options for utilising Åland's public waters. The maritime spatial plan identifies six different areas, located south and north of Åland, as suitable for energy production.
• The Sunnanvind project is initiated as a continued development of the two northern energy areas identified in the maritime spatial plan. The project's objective is to create favourable conditions for establishing large-scale offshore wind power in Åland's public waters.
• In spring 2021, the Government of Åland commissioned a techno-economic report from Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT). The report, entitled ‘Carbon Negative Åland Strategic Roadmap’, analyses various options for energy transfer and the development potential of marine areas.
  Carbon negative Åland Strategic Roadmap on LUT University's publications portal (in English)
   
• This report serves as the foundation for the project guidelines for Sunnanvind.
  Read more about project Sunnanvind´s assignment here

• The governmental Committee of Finance and Enterprise organises a hearing with expert advisors to increase knowledge about the offshore wind power sector, including issues such as the permitting process and potential business models.
  See the full hearing on The Government of Åland´s YouTube channel (in Swedish)
• Minister for the Environment Alfons Röblom (HI) commissions a report by KPMG to analyse the potential economic benefits of establishing offshore wind power and to develop possible solutions to be used by the local government.
• The Government of Åland passes a policy decision to grant survey permits to operators seeking to conduct surveys in public waters. Several operators express interest, and permits are granted to three.

• The municipal councils of Geta, Hammarland, Saltvik, Eckerö, Brändö and Kumlinge approve that the Government of Åland will coordinate and finance the planning work for the Sunnanvind wind power project.
• In June 2023, the majority of political parties in Åland – Åländsk Center, Liberalerna, Moderat Samling, Socialdemokraterna, Hållbart Initiativ and Ålands Framtid – sign a mutual agreement to support efforts to establish large-scale offshore wind power. Obunden Samling and Åländsk Demokrati do not participate in the collaboration.
• During autumn 2023, planning and environmental assessment were initiated as part of a consultancy assignment commissioned through an open call by the Government of Åland. The contract was awarded to the consultancy firm WSP Sverige AB.
• The website sunnanvind.ax is launched as a public information channel for the project.

• In February 2024, a participation and information plan regarding the municipal plan and a delimitation document for the environmental assessment was published, to provide an overview of the current knowledge base and planned approach, and informing the general public and authorities about how they can participate in the initiated planning process. In March 2024 a public consultation meeting was held to present all documents.
  All information related to the delimitation consultation is available here
   
• During the delimination consultation period, all stakeholders and the general public were invited to submit comments regarding the planning process. All comments were compiled and responded to by the Government of Åland in a consultation report. The received comments are an important part of the planning process and are used to define the need for various investigations and analyses.
• Gaia Consulting Oy, on behalf of the Sunnanvind project, compiles a report presenting factors affecting the profitability of Åland's offshore wind power projects and recommendations on how Åland can increase its potential benefits from offshore wind power production.
  Download full report (In English)
   
• The Sunnanvind project is divided into Alfa and Beta. Sunnanvind Alfa handles planning and environmental assessment, and Sunnanvind Beta manages the auction process and business development.

Sunnanvind Alfa

• Review of planning documents, environmental report, and supporting studies.

Sunnanvind Beta

• The team is strengthened, adding a Project Manager and a Business Developer.
• Terms and criteria for the auction procedure are developed.

Sunnanvind Alfa

• Public consultations are organised to present the draft master plan and the preliminary environmental report for the establishment of offshore wind power in the northern maritime areas of Åland. Public presentation events will be held on 19 May and 21 May 2025.

Sunnanvind Beta

• Procurement of a consultancy partner for business advisory services.
• A revenue model is presented for municipalities affected by offshore wind power.

Sunnanvind Alfa

• A consultation report based on the second consultation process is prepared, including responses to the comments received.

Sunnanvind Beta

• A business development partner is contracted. 
• In collaboration with the consultant, market dialogue is initiated with potential wind energy developers. 

Sunnanvind Alfa

• Development work continues based on the consultation report. 

Sunnanvind Beta

• Auction criteria are established. 

Further information coming soon.