Plans for wind farms off the coast of Västerbotten

Swedish company Eolus plans to build between 70 and 147 offshore wind turbines off the coasts of Robertsfors and Skellefteå municipalities. The project, which includes a multi-billion kronor investment, aims to produce green hydrogen as well.

Map of the investigation area for Aurum Norr, in green, and Aurum Syd, in blue, which is mostly in the sea off the municipalities of Robertsfors and Skellefteå.

Map of the investigation area for Aurum Norr, in green, and Aurum Syd, in blue, which is mostly in the sea off the municipalities of Robertsfors and Skellefteå.

Foto: EOLUS

Robertsfors2023-05-09 15:40

Aurum Offshore, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eolus, aims to construct the large-scale wind power project Aurum off the coast of Västerbotten, as reported by VK. The project area is divided into two parts, Aurum North and Aurum South. The Northern area spans 152 square kilometers, and the Southern area is approximately 198 square kilometers. The primary municipalities that will be impacted are Robertsfors and Skellefteå. However, transmission cables may affect Umeå municipality as well.

Up to 147 wind turbines are expected to be established in the area, with heights ranging from 260 to 365 meters. The rotor diameter for the higher alternative is expected to be up to 290 meters. Eolus anticipates that production could reach between 8.4 to 8.8 TWh (terawatt hours), an estimation based on 110 wind turbines. This amount is twice as much as the electricity usage in Västerbotten for 2020.

The wind turbines are scheduled to be placed at a distance of at least three kilometers from the coastline. The turbines will be visible from land, such as at Sikeå harbor and Killingsanden, where the wind farm will be seven kilometers away. They will also be visible from Holmön, as the wind farm is closest to nine kilometers from Holmön.

Eolus and its subsidiary Aurum Offshore's interest in establishing wind farms off the coast of Västerbotten stems from the expansion of green industries in the North and increasing business needs. They also anticipate that Robertsfors, particularly with Norrbotniabanan, will have good communication possibilities and high potential for new establishments.

The project is now entering the consultation phase. Länsstyrelsen in Västerbotten and concerned municipalities will participate, and the general public will also have the opportunity to provide input. Eolus plans to have two meetings in Robertsfors before midsummer, where the consultation exhibition will be displayed, and company representatives will provide information and answer questions from the public. A consultation meeting with Länsstyrelsen is planned for September.

VK reported earlier this year about Njordr Offshore Wind's plans for a park with 60 offshore wind turbines outside the Swedish territorial waters.

Up to 147 wind turbines may be built offshore Robertsfors and Skellefteå.
Up to 147 wind turbines may be built offshore Robertsfors and Skellefteå.