German wind OEM Enercon has taken “important investment decisions” regarding a 1.1GW second phase of the giant Markbygden onshore wind project in the Northern Swedish region of Norbotten.

“Swedish transmission network operator Svenska Kraftnät has been commissioned with ensuring connection to the grid by July 2020,” Enercon tells Recharge in a note.

“Construction work for creation of the grid connection has already started. Enercon has also begun with the necessary infrastructure measures, uprooting and construction of access roads. Completion of the project is planned for 2021.”

Swedish developer Svevind has divided the Markbygden project in three phases that could eventually have a capacity of close to 4GW and cover 6.6% of the country’s total electricity production, according to the developer.

A first phase with 917MW is currently being built, comprising of the three sub-projects Erstrask, Skogberget and Markbygden 1.

First turbines at the 229.1MW Ersträsk wind farm are already in operation, Enercon says. The entire Ersträsk project will be completed at the end of next year, featuring 26 of the OEM’s E-103 EP2 and 42 of its E-126 EP3 turbines.

The 650MW Markbygden 1 sub-project is slated to come online by 2020, using 179 GE 3.6MW turbines. China’s CGN in July had bought three quarters of that sub-project that will sell output to aluminium group Norsk Hydro in a 1.65 terawatt hours per year power purchase agreement.

A third project of the first phase – the 84.6MW Skogberget wind farm – is already up and running, also using Enercon machines.

Enercon is directly involved in the development of the 1.1GW second phase of Markbygden after becoming its sole owner.

Phase 2 was originally designed for 1.3GW, but Enercon said it isn't using the full volume.

Svevind said it is planning for construction and power links for the about 1.8GW third phase that has received a final permit last year.

Wind

Enercon takes FID on 1.1GW phase 2 of Sweden’s Markbygden