Finland currently has more than 26 GW of large-scale solar projects in development, according to the latest project pipeline from Renewables Finland, with the number of projects holding construction permits rising rapidly over the past six months.

The organisation's updated pipeline identifies around 300 large-scale solar projects at different stages of development across the country, with a combined planned capacity of more than 26 GW.

Of these, 77 projects with a total capacity of 4.6 GW have already received construction permits from municipalities. A further 15 projects, representing 1.4 GW, have completed the zoning process.

The capacity covered by construction permits has increased by more than 1 GW in just six months, compared with Renewables Finland's previous review. The organisation noted that not all projects currently in development will ultimately be built, but said the pipeline includes a substantial number of advanced projects that could be constructed within a relatively short timeframe.

Satakunta leads solar project pipeline

Satakunta is currently the leading region for planned large-scale solar in Finland, both in terms of the number of projects and total capacity.

The region has 29 projects with a combined planned capacity of 3.3 GW. It is followed by South Ostrobothnia, with 2.7 GW, and North Ostrobothnia, with 2.6 GW.

In terms of the number of projects, North Ostrobothnia follows Satakunta with 28 projects, while Uusimaa and Southwest Finland each have 27 projects.

Planned capacity varies considerably between these regions. Uusimaa has 60 MW of planned capacity, compared with 1.5 GW in Southwest Finland.

Solar development is also spread across municipalities throughout the country. Loviisa has the largest number of planned projects, with eight projects totalling 636 MW.

Kankaanpää, Kokemäki and Orimattila each have six planned projects, with capacities of 767 MW, 195 MW and 655 MW, respectively.

In terms of planned capacity at municipal level, Kauhajoki leads with 942 MW, followed by Kouvola with 900 MW and Lappeenranta with 854 MW.

Proposed 50-hectare zoning threshold

The rapid development of the solar pipeline comes as Finland considers changes to the zoning requirements for large-scale solar projects.

A proposed amendment to the country's Land Use Act, currently being debated in Parliament, would introduce a requirement for specific zoning for solar power plants occupying more than 50 hectares.

Renewables Finland has criticised the proposal, arguing that additional zoning requirements could increase the administrative workload for municipalities and delay projects.

“Investments in renewable energy are not accelerated by adding bureaucracy,” said Anni Mikkonen, Managing Director of Renewables Finland.

Mikkonen argued that the proposed 50-hectare threshold could be particularly problematic for projects located in remote wastelands and former peat production areas, which are also among the areas targeted for solar development.

According to Renewables Finland, the government programme calls for permitting to be simplified and for the development of solar power plants on wasteland to be facilitated. The organisation therefore considers the proposed zoning requirement inconsistent with these objectives.

“The Parliament still has the opportunity to reconsider and improve this provision,” Mikkonen said.

Advanced pipeline could support near-term deployment

The latest figures point to a substantial pipeline of utility-scale solar projects across Finland, although the total planned capacity should not be interpreted as capacity that will necessarily be built.

Renewables Finland said the 4.6 GW of projects that already hold construction permits, together with the additional 1.4 GW that have completed zoning, represent a significant share of projects at advanced stages of development.

The organisation's project database provides detailed statistics on planned solar developments across Finland, as well as a map showing their locations.