Vattenfall and Metsähallitus are embarking on a new extensive bird studies in Korsnäs to gather detailed data on the behavior of birds in the offshore wind farm development area.
Vattenfall and Metsähallitus launch comprehensive bird studies in the Korsnäs area. The first of the 2025 studies are areal bird studies which begin 26.3. These studies focus on bird behaviour especially during migration in spring and autumn and breeding periods. Bird studies will run until early 2026.
“These surveys are being conducted to provide up-to-date, high-quality, and detailed data on how the birds use the area throughout the year,” says Vattenfall’s Senior Consent Manager Charlotta Lindberg.
Vattenfall and Metsähallitus have already studied area’s birdlife previously. These studies have revealed that there can be large numbers of resting seaducks during spring in this part of the coast and that birds are likely to fly through the area during migration.
“What is less known is the exact presence and behaviour of birds in the wind farm development area. These new long-term studies will establish the species, numbers, and distribution of birds in and around the wind farm area as well as their flight patterns”, explains Lindberg.
Aerial bird surveys covering a large area in and around the wind farm are conducted using a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft. Observers onboard provide detailed data on numbers and distribution of resting and feeding birds following internationally established standards. If needed, Vattenfall might also use additional survey methods.
Results will be used in the offshore wind farm’s environmental impact assessment (EIA). In the EIA report, Vattenfall will evaluate wind farm’s impact on birds and plan mitigation measures if needed.
Biodiversity and nature protection are a priority at Vattenfall. For over two decades, Vattenfall has worked with scientists to build the evidence base on environmental impacts of wind farms through its research and development program.
Vattenfall is developing an industrial-scale offshore wind farm near Vaasa in collaboration with Metsähallitus. The planned capacity of the wind farm is 1.3–2.5 GW. Upon completion in the 2030s, it will produce 5–7 TWh of fossil-free electricity annually. The annual production corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of over 350,000 electrically heated detached houses.
More unformation
Charlotta Lindberg, Senior Consent Manager, Vattenfall, asacharlotta.lindberg@vattenfall.com
Vattenfall
Vattenfall is an European energy company that has been electrifying industries, supplying energy to homes, and transforming our lives through innovation and collaboration for over 100 years. The company has approximately 20,000 employees and 14 million customers. Vattenfall has been operating in Finland for over 30 years. We operate 9 hydroelectric power plants in Finland and are developing an industrial-scale offshore wind farm near Vaasa in Korsnäs. Our goal is fossil freedom. www.vattenfall.com.