Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), Flexens and Lhyfe have partnered to develop an integrated energy island powered by offshore wind on the Åland island archipelago off the Finnish coast.

Called the Åland Energy Island project, it will support gigawatt-scale offshore wind and green hydrogen production in Finland.

Power from the project will be supplied to Åland and the broader European region, supporting both the island and the EU’s aim for energy security and decarbonisation.

The project is also expected to transform Åland into an important player in the green transition by tapping into the wind resources around the islands.

CIP, Flexens and Lhyfe plan to develop the Åland Energy Island project in close coordination with local government and other stakeholders for maximum benefits.

Each partner brings a set of complementary skills and expertise to the project. CIP is a fund manager with expertise in offshore wind, green hydrogen and energy islands.

Lhyfe will add its expertise in developing, designing and operating onshore and offshore hydrogen facilities in Europe. Flexens will bring its knowledge as a regional hydrogen and infrastructure developer.

The project is expected to be beneficial for Åland in terms of economic development and employment creation. It can help the island to run entirely on green energy.

CIP partner Thomas Dalsgaard stated: “The development of the Åland Energy Island project will provide a value-increasing route to market for the regional offshore wind supporting the ambitions of Åland regarding local value and job creation, as well as supporting the energy transition and energy independence of the wider region.

“The strong complementary capabilities represented by the consortium partners enable the Åland Energy Island’s integrating offshore wind and hydrogen facilities to be structured and developed with the environmental, economic and social interests of Åland in mind.”

Lhyfe chief business officer Taia Kronborg stated: “This partnership with CIP is a great recognition of Lhyfe’s ability to develop large-scale onshore and offshore projects in the Nordic countries: it takes us to the next level.

“This project demonstrates how hydrogen can fit into a vast integrated renewable energy system with its capacity to store and transform renewable electricity. It will be a great role model for all Europe.”