A solar park planned for Linnankoski

Imatra's solar energy development company 3Flash Solar Oy aims to develop a solar power park in Linnankoski, the so-called Miikki fields along Vuoksi, where the transmission and distribution networks are easily accessible.

─ The Finnish energy market is now in a strong transition and this solar park project provides excellent support for security of supply and energy self-sufficiency and replaces wind power production balancing the production fluctuations of the electricity grid, founding partner Miko Huomo from 3Flash Solar Oy says.

The design of the solar power plant would utilize the latest solar technology and its size would be up to approximately 40 MWp. When realized, the park would be Finland's largest solar power plant.

Solar energy does not solve the need for energy production throughout the year, but its production profile is well suited as a producer of consumption during the day from March to the end of October. 

The project's life-cycle environmental impacts are approximately 160 000 tons of reduced CO2 emissions, which correspond to approximately 6,8 a billion kilometers of distance driven by electric car or thereabouts 410 000 of the annual consumption of an apartment building.*

When implemented, the employment effect of the project will be significant, up to about 170 person-years with annual maintenance work during the project's 30-year operating life.

─ Investments in renewable energy have long been focused elsewhere in Finland, solar power brings opportunities for significant investments in South Karelia as well, Huomo states.

3flash Solar Oy organizes the financing of the project and rents the production area. Land owners receive rental income from this, and the city receives property tax income.

The city of Imatra is involved in the project as the largest landowner.

Most of the city's land is currently leased for agricultural use. The leases are valid until the end of 2023. In addition, there are two private landowners' land in the planning solar park area. The progress of the park project requires negotiations with these entities and the preparation of a site plan.

─ The project also researches and develops the combination of agricultural production with energy production so that the region could possibly continue farming, Huomo says.

On Monday, letters of invitation to the discussion event organized in June will be mailed to the interested parties. They have already been contacted by phone. Along with the stakeholder discussion, another event, open to city residents, will also be organized.

─ From the city's point of view, the project would have positive employment effects and economic effects through the power plant's rental income and property tax, and in addition, the need for emission-free electricity is great. Because of this, the project is positive for Imatra. It should also be noted that the project will affect the landscape locally, and in this respect the plans and effects will be specified in connection with the zoning, Acting mayor Matias Hilden says.

According to the preliminary plan, the construction of the solar power park should be completed and operations should start during 2024.

Welcome to discuss the solar electric park project and the participation related to the planning of the park on June 8.6.2022, 17 at the Imatra town hall at XNUMX p.m.

For more information:
Miko Huomo
Founding partner
3 Flash Solar Ltd
miko.huomo3flash.fi (miko[dot]huomo[at]3flash[dot]fi)
050
Neulekatu 10, 5510 Imatra

Matias Hilden
Acting mayor, city of Imatra
matias.hildenimatra.fi (matias[dot]hilden[at]imatra[dot]fi)
040
Virastokatu 2, 55100 Imatra
www.imatra.fi

* calculated average consumption of an apartment building is 3000 kWh/a, CO2 emission reduction 131 kg/CO2/MWh, average consumption of an electric car 18kWh/1oo km