Today, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak and Governor of the Murmansk Region Andrey Chibis officially launched the commercial operation of the Kola wind farm. A subsidiary of LUKOIL, EL5–Energo, is engaged in the implementation of the strategic industrial project.
"I thank the leadership of the Murmansk Region and everyone who participated in the construction of the Kola wind farm for the opportunity to launch such a large–scale Russian project - the world's largest wind farm beyond the Arctic Circle. In the most difficult conditions of sanctions pressure, PJSC EL5-Energo managed to bring it to the end. In our country, on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, the Government of the Russian Federation is implementing a large-scale program for the development of renewable energy sources and the construction of industrial enterprises that can produce equipment for our power plants. The share of energy production based on RES is now 2.2% of the energy balance. It is planned to increase this figure to 6% by 2035, and to 16% by 2050. This task is being fulfilled so that more clean energy is produced and consumed in Russia," Alexander Novak stressed.
"The Kola wind Farm project is one of the priorities for the Murmansk Region, including in terms of providing the necessary tax preferences. The implementation of this project was a test of strength for the government of the Murmansk region – here, in the Far North, despite unprecedented sanctions restrictions, they were able to create a unique production. I am sure that the project will be successful!" the head of the region said.
As Andrey Chibis noted, it is very symbolic that today the first and only TOP "Capital of the Arctic" in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation has turned three years old, and on the same day a unique technological project – the Kola wind Farm - is being put into operation.
Within the framework of the event, the management and the best employees of PJSC EL5-Energo, as well as the Kola wind farm, were awarded.
The laying of the first stone on the site of the future largest wind farm beyond the Arctic Circle took place in September 2019. Substantial support for the implementation of the project was provided by the Government of the Murmansk Region, with which an agreement on cooperation in the field of renewable energy development was signed in November 2018, which is aimed at increasing the economic potential of the region through the introduction of new methods of electricity generation and the creation of energy infrastructure facilities. In 2021, the investment project "Construction and subsequent operation of the Kola Wind Farm" was awarded the status of a strategic investment project of the region.
To date, 57 wind power plants have been installed on an area of 257 hectares. 68% of the equipment on wind turbines is localized Russian production. The wind farm will be able to generate about 750 GWh per year, while avoiding the release of about 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The equipment of the wind farm is designed taking into account the specifics of operation at extremely low temperatures. The blades of wind turbines are equipped with icing detection systems that allow you to determine the risk of ice in advance and automatically stop their rotation. The Kola Wind Farm is connected to the Unified Energy System of Russia.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /