German wind OEM Nordex has won an order for a 131MW project at a northern Swedish site, where temperatures in the winter can be as cold as minus 33° Celsius.

The manufacturer will supply 23 of its N163/5.X turbines from the Delta4000 series designed as a cold climate variant to utility Jämtkraft and its partner Persson Invest for the Hocksjön project at some 20 kilometres from the town of Ramsele in the county of Västernorrland.

“We are delighted that Jämtkraft and Persson Invest have opted for the N163/5.X turbine for their Hocksjön project,” Nordex chief sales officer Patxi Landa said.

Nordex in recent years has been very successful with cold climate models in the Nordic countries and in the US. The OEM in the past has said cold climate technology becomes profitable once about 4% of annual energy production from a given wind farms would otherwise be lost due to ice.

Sweden, Norway and Finland are in the middle of a prolonged onshore wind power boom, particularly in their thinly populated northern regions, as the countries are striving to decarbonise their economies quicker than other European countries.

Cooler temperatures and cheap wind power also are ideal for an increasing number of data centres that are being built in the Nordics.

The order comes with a 25-year service contract.

Jämtkraft is owned by three municipalities in the wider region, and sells electricity throughout the Nordic countries both to private and corporate customers.

“As of 2022, Jämtkraft and Persson Invest will add a great portion of their 100% renewable energy from wind,” Landa said.

Wind

'Minus 33°C': Nordex to equip Swedish wind farm in ultra-cold climate