Ilmatar’s wind power projects span across Finland, and the company has also established itself as a forerunner in the solar energy sector. Company’s long-term and expert-driven project development has helped to solidify its position in both industries.
Renewables Finland (Suomen Uusiutuvat ry) recently published updated project statistics for solar and wind energy developments in Finland. As of January 2025, there were 180 onshore wind turbines under construction, 590 permitted, and another 5,919 in the permitting phase. Ilmatar owns 20% of the all wind turbines currently under construction, including 30 turbines at Pahkakoski and six at Korpilevonmäki.
Among onshore wind projects in the development phase, Ilmatar ranked second in the latest statistics, with a project portfolio exceeding four gigawatts. The data confirms that Ilmatar is the largest owner of wind power projects under development in Finland, measured by cumulative capacity.
Renewables Finland: Wind Power Projects in Finland 2025 (in Finnish)
The new statistics also highlight the rapid growth of solar energy projects in Finland. When Ilmatar’s first solar farm became operational in Joroinen in 2023, only a few solar projects were in the pipeline. Today, there are already 234 permitted or pending solar energy projects across the country. Ilmatar’s leadership in the sector is evident in the data: of the total 2,521 MW of fully permitted solar projects in Finland, an impressive 1,183 MW—nearly half—belong to Ilmatar.
Extensive Wind Power Experience Accelerates Solar Energy Development
“In 2022, we launched a systematic search for Finland’s best solar energy sites, leveraging our extensive experience in wind power permitting. This expertise has helped us overcome many challenges, as solar project permitting was new for municipalities and other authorities alike,” says Lauri Vierto, who leads Ilmatar’s permitting processes in Finland.
“Most of our solar projects have progressed without appeals, demonstrating that we have actively engaged with stakeholders and adjusted our plans based on their feedback,” Vierto adds.
Common challenges in solar energy projects include mitigating visual impacts on residential areas and meeting fire safety requirements.
“In collaboration with landscape architects, we have developed a custom landscaping concept that incorporates a variety of trees and shrubs, which we apply in projects located near residential areas. Additionally, through discussions with fire departments and construction contractors, we have contributed to establishing best practices tailored to Finland’s climate, ensuring the safe construction of our projects,” Vierto explains.
Renewables Finland: Solar Power Projects in Finland 2025 (in Finnish)
A Unique Combination Attracts Investors
“A project portfolio combining over 1 GW of well-located solar projects with one of the largest selections of onshore wind power projects in Finland is truly unique—something that multiple industrial investors focused on the green transition have taken note of,” says Jussi Mäkinen, VP, Project Development at Ilmatar.
“In the future, we will be able to meet the growing demand for electricity with a highly stable production profile. Our wind power projects extend from Southwest Finland to the Lapland border and East Finland. Meanwhile, our solar energy projects are located close to consumption centers in Southern Finland. Additionally, most of our projects have the potential to integrate battery storage facilities, which support reserve markets. While the output of individual solar or wind projects can fluctuate, combining multiple technologies and a geographically diverse portfolio results in a more stable overall production for an energy company,” Mäkinen concludes.
