Google plans to run a giant data-center in Finland with power from one of largest onshore wind farms in neighbouring Sweden, with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) in the frame to supply turbines.
The German-Spanish OEM will deliver 62 of its 4.1MW machines for the 254MW Stavro project, located near Umeå in the north of Sweden, with production being sold through a corporate off-take deal with the IT giant for its new facility in Hamina, and one to a pulp and paper plant near the wind farm owned by Holmen AB.
“The Scandinavian market continues to show its great potential for wind power and increasing demand for renewable energy as it strives to reach climate neutrality by 2050,” said Siemens Gamesa’s onshore business CEO Alfonso Faubel.
“The project will facilitate Holmen’s transition to 100% renewables consumed in its business and meet part of the fast-growing demand for electricity of Google’s European data-centres.
“Projects like Stavro illustrate how we in Siemens Gamesa drive the transformation towards renewables through strong, long-term relationships where we are constantly working to offer innovation, technology and solutions tailored to the needs of the individual customer.”
The project has been financed by German Asset Manager Prime Capital on behalf of an international consortium made up Korean institutional investors, German Pension Fund Nordrheinische Ärzteversorgung and Siemens Financial Services.
“Scandinavian wind is at the core of our current renewable energy strategy, as we can leverage on both a unique competitive advantage in sourcing and realising projects and very favourable market conditions for investing,” said Prime Capital CEO Andreas Kalusche.
“Our close collaboration with SGRE has enabled us to source the project early and to add value through a full-scope commercialisation process. This strategy, in a market benefitting from one of the world’s best wind resources and the ability to realize large-scale projects, increases overall profitability and risk-adjusted returns for our investors.”
Commissioning of Stavro, which is made up of into two sub-sites, Blodrotberget, with 40 turbines, and Blackfjället, with 22, is slated for the end of 2021. Delivery of the grid connection, including engineering, civil works, installation and commissioning of the two 150/33kV sub-sites, will be handled by Siemens Gas & Power.
