Ilmatar Energy constructs a new wind power farm on state-owned land in Kainuu – the majority of electricity generated goes to Google

Published 20.9.2019

Ilmatar Energy Oy announced today that it has entered into agreement with Google today concerning the majority of electricity produced at the Piiparinmäki wind farm. Metsähallitus sold the proprietary rights of the Piiparinmäki wind farm project development to Ilmatar Energy in June 2018.  Ilmatar Energy Oy is a joint venture owned by Capenergie 3 that is managed by Ilmatar Windpower Oyj and Omnes Capital.

"Ilmatar Energy has entered into agreement with Google, leading to the technology giant purchasing approximately 60% of the Piiparinmäki wind farm’s production. Altogether, the wind farm produces 211 MW of rated power of new and ecological energy for Finland’s electricity network", Ilmatar informs.

The Piiparinmäki wind farm, to be located in the Pyhäntä Municipality, and City of Kajaani areas, is planned for construction during 2019–2021 without state support, and it will start producing electricity already as early as 2020.

The Piiparinmäki wind farm is a project developed by Metsähallitus that when completed will be either the largest or one of the largest wind farms in Finland.

“We are overjoyed that the electricity purchase agreement of the wind farm has been confirmed, as it also has great positive impacts on the regional economy”, says Tuomas Hallenberg, Acting Director General of Metsähallitus.

“Ilmatar has done great work in the further development of the farm and it is fantastic news that they have managed to enter into a direct sales agreement with such an important operator”, adds Hallenberg.

“Ilmatar is one of Finland’s pioneers in Finnish wind power production, and it is wonderful to enter into agreement with Google. The agreement is a good indication of e.g. how technological giants are prepared to commit to wind power. It is not only clean, but also an extremely cost-effective form of electricity production that facilitates industrial investments for Finland. The further construction of renewable energy is the only way to achieve global emission targets”, comments Ilmatar Windpower’s Chairman of the Board, Kalle Pykälä.

“Metsähallitus has been developing the project with over ten percent with the wind power capacity of Finland installed by the beginning of 2019. “The increase in renewable energy possibilities is part of the climate programme of Metsähallitus”, Hallenberg adds.

More information available from:
Acting Director General Tuomas Hallenberg, +358 40 528 6069, tuomas.hallenberg@metsa.fi
Ilmatar Energy Oy, CEO Erkka Saario, +358 40 355 7007, erkka.saario@ilmatarwind.fi
Ilmatar Windpower Oyj, Chairman of the Board Kalle Pykälä, +358 40 900 5309, kalle.pykala@ilmatarwind.fi
Communications Manager Hanna Kaurala, Metsähallitus, +358 40 350 4947, hanna.kaurala@metsa.fi

Read more:
Google makes its biggest renewable energy purchase ever

Metsähallitus leads the way in diverse bioeconomy. We are a state-owned enterprise, responsible for the management of one third of Finland’s surface area. We use and develop these state-owned land and water areas responsibly, in a way that maximises their benefits to society as a whole.

Ilmatar Energy is the parent company of Ilmatar Piiparinmäki that operates in each sector of the wind power value chain, project development and project construction management for long-term electricity production and economic management through its subsidiary Ilmatar Service.

Ilmatar Energy and Ilmatar Windpower own a 1 GW project profile. Ilmatar Windpower Oyj was established in 2011 and is owned by the founders of the company, company financers and company management.