European Energy has inaugurated its first hybrid park in Kronoberg County, Sweden, combining solar and wind power.
The site consists of a 49.6 MW wind park with eight turbines and a 39.3 MWp solar park. Its estimated annual production is around 126 GWh, equivalent to the electricity use of more than 25,000 households.
“The advantage of combining solar and wind is that they have different production times. The sun shines most during the day and summer, while the wind blows more at night and during winter. This gives us a more even production and smarter use of the power grid,” said Peter Braun, Country Manager for European Energy in Sweden.
The project connects to the electricity grid through a single connection point, which has reduced construction and operating costs.
“This is a milestone for renewable electricity in Sweden, but also for European Energy, since it is the first hybrid park we have developed, built, and are operating ourselves,” said Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President and Head of Project Development at European Energy.
“By combining solar and wind in the same location, we achieve a more even production and can make more efficient use of land and infrastructure.
The company said environmental considerations were integral to the project, which sits within a forested area.
Rocky terrain was managed using existing soil masses to minimise transport needs, and measures have been introduced to enhance biodiversity. These include preserving water ponds, creating habitats around the park’s edges, and planting species that benefit pollinators.
The construction process took four years. At the inauguration ceremony, Maria Arnholm, Governor of Kronoberg County, connected two cables – one from the wind park and one from the solar park – to officially open the facility.
The Skåramåla site is the first of three solar-wind hybrid parks planned by European Energy in Sweden. The next project, located in Grevekulla in Ydre Municipality, is already under construction.
[Image caption: Hybrid park in Kronoberg County in Sweden marks European Energy’s first combined solar and wind project. Image credit: European Energy]
