4C Offshore Empowering Intelligence

OX2 and the Bank of Åland unveils plans for Mega Green Port

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 03/02/2023 OX2 

OX2 and the Bank of Åland’s fund management subsidiary Ålandsbanken Fondbolag, which are developing the
Noatun North and Noatun South offshore wind power projects near Finland’s Åland archipelago in the Baltic Sea, have initiated a feasibility study for the planning and establishment of a “Mega Grön Hamn” (Mega Green Port) with the port of Långnäs in Åland.

According to project partners, Långnäs is a suitable hub for the construction, electrical connections, hydrogen e-fuel production/distribution as well as other potential new businesses. The project team consists of representatives from OX2, the Bank of Åland, the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, EuroMekanik and a number of other consultancies.


Once fully developed, the port is expected to function as a green node and − in addition to construction logistics for the individual wind power projects − will open opportunities for the creation of new businesses, new jobs, an electrical connection to Åland. The maximum capacity of the electrolyser at the site is estimated at 3,000 MW.


The Mega Green Port project includes plans to produce hydrogen as a fuel for the shipping industry, for future local archipelago transport services and for industrial processes in Åland.

“Creating a Mega Green Port will bolster the Åland economy in many different ways. In addition to being an important part of the offshore wind power projects, it will generate jobs and produce e-fuel for the shipping industry − making Åland attractive for the establishment of large new businesses and enabling many new innovative projects in oxygenation of water and utilisation of excess heat in various manufacturing activities. The port will strengthen Åland’s potential to become the leading green hub in the Nordic region,”
said Anders Wiklund, Country Manager Åland at OX2.


“The purpose of our planned wind power projects is green energy transition and enabling the general public to participate via our fund structure − but perhaps, above all, to create a new growth engine for the Åland business sector. The feasibility study for Långnäs as a Mega Green Port is an important step in understanding how Långnäs can play a key role in the future of the Åland business community, especially with reference to the growth of existing Åland companies and the establishment of new business operations,”
said Peter Wiklöf, Manager Director and Chief Executive of the Bank of Åland.


“We are very much looking forward to being involved in this feasibility study, the vision for Åland and the role that Långnäs can play for shipping. The global shipping industry is clamouring for green e-fuel on a large scale, which makes the timing of this feasibility study perfect. It needs to get started as soon as possible,”
said Johan Byskov Svendsen, Programme Manager at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.


The feasibility study is expected to last for 12 months and create a better understanding of the conditions around the proposed Långnäs Mega Green Port, both practical and technical, as well as financial factors.


Premium

ForeSEE Premium, our most popular subscription, gives you full access to use the ForeSEE WebApp which includes exclusive offshore wind, transmission and vessel reports, news and downloads.

Request a 30 minute Demo

Trending News!