In the seas between Sweden and Finland lies the Åland archipelago, where feasibility assessments are now being prepared as part of an effort to establish a ”Mega Green Port”.

Swedish project developer OX2 has teamed up with the Bank of Åland’s investment company, Fondbolag, to launch initial studies with the aid of the Mærsk McKinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping based in Copenhagen.

The two enterprises are already cooperating to develop offshore wind projects Noatun North and Noatun South for location in the Åland Sea in the southern Gulf of Bothnia.

”The port will strengthen Åland’s potential to become the leading green hub in the Nordic region,” writes Anders Wiklund, OX2’s country manager for Åland, in a press statement.

According to the media release, the port – the scope of which remains undisclosed – will also provide needed space for developing offshore wind projects, allow for utilization of surplus heat as well as providing many other secondary effects.

Dialog with international stakeholders is already underway. 

When fully established, the base of operations at the Port of Långnäs will reportedly require capacity of 3GW, which the statement writes is the maximum effect of the intended electrolyzer. 

”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,” notes Peter Wiklöf, manager director and chief executive of the Bank of Åland.

Planned to last roughly a year, the feasibility studies are meant to improve understanding of practical, technical and economic matters related to the undertaking.

(This article was provided by our sister media, EnergyWatch)

English edit: Daniel Frank Christensen