Finland is set to open its first tender for offshore wind development in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by early 2027, after the Finnish government designated four areas in the Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay for competitive bidding.
The designated offshore wind areas include Bothnian Sea West (Selkämeri länsi), Bothnian Sea East (Selkämeri itä), Bothnian Bay South (Perämeri etelä), and Bothnian Bay North (Perämeri pohjoinen).
The initial tender will focus on the Bothnian Bay South area, with subsequent tenders for the remaining areas. The Finnish Energy Authority will conduct the competitive bidding process to select project developers.
On November 5, 2026, the government made these designations and issued a decree detailing participation requirements, selection criteria, and financial securities for bidders and developers.
Bids will be evaluated based on price and qualitative factors, each contributing 50% to the overall assessment. The winning bidder can apply for an exploitation permit to conduct detailed offshore studies and obtain necessary project permits.
The tender model excludes state aid. The government emphasized the lengthy development timelines for offshore wind projects in the Finnish EEZ, which may span 10 to 15 years from tendering to commercial operation.
Proposed amendments to the Water Act aim to clarify offshore wind farm construction and decommissioning requirements in the EEZ. The new provisions would establish rules for decommissioning obligations and financial security, expected to be effective by spring 2027.
Offshore wind farms need to be dismantled at the end of their operational life. However, the Finnish Supervisory Agency may assess how much of the structures need removal to seabed level on a case-by-case basis.
The proposed rules will also apply to offshore wind farms in Finland’s territorial waters, with Metsähallitus agreeing with developers on financial security for decommissioning.
The government aims for improved regulatory predictability and legal certainty in offshore wind development, ensuring developers cover decommissioning costs under the polluter-pays principle.
The Act on Offshore Wind Power in the Exclusive Economic Zone (937/2024), establishing the new area selection and tendering procedure, became effective on January 1, 2025.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz