Construction of 33,5 MWp solar park begins on former peat field in Kuortane

Decommissioned and retiring peat production areas have increasingly been designated for solar parks in Finland during recent years. With similar enthusiasm, suitable technical solutions have been sought for construction, even though solar-power operators have not always had full clarity over them. In Kuortane, in the South Ostrobothnia region, construction of an industrial solar park at Honkisaarenneva began in November 2024.

At Honkisaarenneva, an industrial solar park with an output of approximately 33.5 MWp is under construction on a former peat production field. The project is carried out by the Finnish company Solarigo Systems Oy. The aim is to enable the conversion of decommissioned peat areas into solar-electricity production.

Special considerations for building a solar park on peatland

Due to the nature of the site, special‐purpose planning is required, especially regarding foundations and water & sludge management. “Working on a peat-field obviously demands specific solutions for foundations, water and sludge management,” explains Project Manager Timo Tolonen, Solarigo Systems Oy.

For the foundation solution at Honkisaarenneva, screw piling has been selected, reaching down to about three metres. Concrete reinforcements have also been considered, and corrosion risks taken into account. The most significant technical peculiarity of a peat field is the soil acidity.

“Ongoing ditching and water protection have required particular attention. All water flows from the site through the work-area’s water protection measures. We need to ensure that acid water and sludge do not enter the surrounding environment and cause damage,” Tolonen explains.

Preparatory works for the solar park’s construction began in November 2024. The initial phase includes tree removal, foundation piling and earthmoving. The aim is to have the solar park ready for production by February 2026 at the latest.

Project scale among Finland’s largest

“We aim to use as much local expertise and workforce as possible during construction, for example earthworks and electrical specialists are needed,” notes Tolonen.

The project’s investment value is about €22 million. The municipality of Kuortane will receive about €100,000 in annual tax revenue from the plant. The Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted the project €4.1 million in investment support via the EU’s RENEWFM mechanism.

Contact for further information:
Timo Tolonen
Project Manager
+358 40 770 3866
timo.tolonen@solarigo.fi