Wind power
The production of wind power gives renewable energy without fossil emissions or impact on the climate.
Wind power is fossil-free
Wind power is a key to managing climate change. The need for fossil-free energy is enormous and will increase further in the future. Electricity consumption is expected
to double in twenty years' time, which will require an addition of onshore wind power. As a significant landowner, Holmen has great opportunities to be involved in driving the expansion of wind power in Sweden.
Green energy from our lands
The energy system is fundamentally changing when fossil energy sources are to be phased out. Today, onshore wind power is the cheapest option for the production of clean and renewable electricity. Holmen is now taking the next step as a green energy producer and investing in expanding our wind power. We already have two wind farms, Varsvik in Uppland and Blåbergsliden in Västerbotten, and several new projects under development. We are ready to be a part of the solution!
Sustainable wind power
The production of wind power only draws on the natural forces of the wind – no fossil emissions and no impact on the climate. Instead of using electricity to make wind, llke a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. This is the simple principle behind wind power.
Ongoing wind power projects
Read more about Holmen's ongoing wind power projects here.
Ongoing projectsVarsvik wind farm
Holmen’s land in Varsvik is home to the largest wind farm in the Uppland region.
Varsvik wind farmPlease accept Marketing, Preferences and Statistics cookies to view this content.
See our movie Wind power - a key to climate change.
FAQ about wind power
How much energy can a wind turbine produce?
A modern wind turbine can produce up to 15–20 GWh per year depending on the wind conditions. That is enough to power around 1 000 Swedish homes per year.
How does wind power affect the climate?
Wind power is an entirely fossil-free source of electricity that creates no pollution. From a life cycle perspective, where the whole production and transport chain is taken into account, a wind turbine has offset its entire energy and material-related impact after around 6–8 months in production.
How does wind power affect the environment?
Holmen’s land is certified to the FSC® standard (FSC-ID), which means that we pay extra attention to our environmental impact in the areas where we establish wind power, and we never erect wind turbines in areas that have high conservation value or are key biotopes. The main negative impact that a wind turbine has on local wildlife relates to unavoidable collisions with birds and bats. According to a report by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, however, the risk is so small that it can be considered marginal in comparison with the impact of other human activities.
How does wind power affect local residents?
As a rule of thumb, wind turbines are generally placed at a distance of around 1 000 m from the nearest residence. This minimises shadow flicker, the immediate noise impact and the risk of injury from falling ice in winter. Some people feel that wind turbines have a negative impact on the look of the landscape, while others have a more positive attitude. Generally speaking, as knowledge of wind power’s climate benefits has grown, the positive attitudes have also increased.
How much noise does a wind turbine make?
The sound from a wind turbine is caused mainly by the large rotor blades as they move through the air. This creates a swishing sound that can sometimes be heard from quite a long distance. The perceived sound level is affected by many factors, such as the prevailing weather and wind conditions, the distance from the wind turbine and other sounds in the area. A sound level of 40 dBA (decibels) is used as the official standard for wind turbines located near a residential area.