Wind turbines and wind energy: Driving the energy transition

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Wind turbines and wind energy: Driving the energy transition

Wind turbines are a crucial part of the shift towards cleaner electricity production. Electricity production through wind power is almost emission-free. Modern wind turbines are technically advanced systems, with performance based on decades of design, material technology, and automation development.

Summary of Wind Power:

Wind power is a key solution in the energy transition.

Wind power production is relatively low-emission and cost-effective.

The dependency of wind power production on weather requires storage solutions.

New wind power technologies enhance efficiency and reliability.

Wind power attracts investors in Finland.

Page published in June, 2025

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Wind turbines at the heart of the energy transition

The energy transition — shifting from fossil-based energy production to renewable and low-emission energy sources — requires solutions that are technically scalable, economically competitive, and quickly deployable. Wind power meets these requirements well.

However, wind power production is weather-dependent, requiring sufficient storage capacity to support wind turbines. Energy storage systems and smart grid technologies are central to ensuring that wind power can be reliably integrated into the energy infrastructure.

Additionally, distributed production, utilizing several small and medium-sized turbines, improves system flexibility, making the electrical grid more stable and resilient in varying conditions.

Three large white wind turbines stand tall on a grassy hill with a clear blue sky in the background. The turbines are positioned in a row, with the closest one being the largest and most prominent. In the distance, there are more hills and some trees scattered across the landscape.

Finland as a pioneer in wind power

In Finland, wind power has taken a significant role in the energy transition. Production capacity has grown rapidly in recent years, indicating the maturity of technology and the industry’s ability to produce competitive electricity.

Stable investment environment attracts investors

Finland’s functional regulatory framework, clear zoning processes, and long-term climate and energy policies create a predictable environment for energy investments. These factors enhance investor confidence and attract international entities to participate in renewable energy projects, both onshore and offshore.

Conditions for profitable wind power production

Finland offers excellent wind conditions, especially in Western and Northern Finland, where large open land areas and flat coastal regions prevail. The average wind speed in these areas is sufficient for profitable production.

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A large wind turbine with three blades stands against a bright blue sky filled with scattered white clouds.

Factors affecting wind power production

Wind power production primarily depends on wind speed, making the location of a wind turbine critical. Technological advancements enable more efficient production even in lower wind conditions.

Wind profiles vary by height: higher up, the wind is often stronger and steadier. Therefore, wind turbine tower heights have significantly increased, often reaching above 140 meters.

Working principle of wind turbines

Wind turbine operation is based on converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. When the wind moves the blades, the rotor spins and transfers motion through the gearbox to the generator. The generator produces electricity, which is directed to the electrical grid via a transformer.

Modern turbines utilize various control and regulation systems to optimize blade angles and direct the rotor to the wind, ensuring the most efficient production.

Types of wind turbines

Wind turbines are classified into two main types based on the direction of their axis: horizontal axis and vertical axis turbines. Horizontal axis turbines are the most common and generally more cost-efficient. Vertical axis turbines are suitable for specific conditions, but their efficiency is currently lower.

Based on location, wind turbines are divided into:

Onshore: Built on land, often in sparsely populated areas.

Offshore: Placed off the coast, where wind conditions are steadier and stronger. Offshore turbines are technically more challenging and expensive to construct but have higher production potential.

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Wind power: Key advantages

Low-emission production supports climate goals

Wind power is one of the least emissive forms of electricity production throughout its lifecycle. Once a wind farm is operational, its electricity production does not cause direct carbon dioxide emissions or water pollution. Lifecycle emissions are significantly lower than those from fossil-based electricity production, primarily resulting from construction, material manufacturing, and transportation. Wind power can support climate policy goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially if it replaces emission-intensive production.

Wind power: Increasing competitiveness

Wind power is becoming economically competitive, particularly in areas with favorable wind conditions. Technological advancements, the growth in turbine size, and industrial-scale construction have reduced the average production costs of wind power.

In many countries, wind power is now being built without public investment subsidies, strengthening its position as part of market-driven electricity production.

Read the reference: Team renewable arctic Finland

A large offshore wind farm with multiple wind turbines standing in the ocean. The turbines have white towers and blades with red tips. The sky is partly cloudy, and the sun is low on the horizon.

Wind power: Challenges

Production variability challenges the electrical grid

The main challenge of wind power relates to its production dependency on weather. Wind speed varies hourly, daily, and seasonally, causing fluctuations in electricity production. This unpredictability in production requires balancing the electrical system.

To reliably utilize wind power on a large scale, flexible solutions like energy storage technologies, demand response, and intelligent control systems are needed. These methods enable production and consumption adjustment under different conditions, bolstering the overall reliability of the electrical system.

Environmental impacts require careful planning

Wind power construction also involves local environmental and landscape impacts. High structures can alter the landscape, and the sound from rotating blades can raise concerns, especially near residential areas.

Additionally, wind turbines can impact birds and other wildlife. These impacts can be significantly reduced through careful placement, thorough environmental impact assessments, and technical solutions such as noise control technologies.

Wind power construction always requires case-specific planning and dialogue with local stakeholders to ensure projects are implemented compatibly with the environment and people.

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Wind power: Development directions and future prospects

Wind power technology continues to evolve rapidly to meet increasing electricity demand and climate goals. Leading developments include larger and more efficient turbines. Larger turbines enhance production efficiency and lower energy costs, particularly in offshore wind power.

One significant future solution is floating offshore technology, enabling wind power construction in deep sea areas where traditional fixed foundations are not possible. This significantly expands wind power potential to new regions.

Simultaneously, components of wind turbines are developing. Turbine blades are lengthening, and construction materials are becoming lighter, allowing for taller towers. This improves energy production, especially inland, where wind conditions improve higher up. New material solutions and aerodynamic designs extend turbine lifespan and reduce maintenance needs, enhancing cost-efficiency throughout the lifecycle.

Digitalization is also transforming wind power production. AI-based monitoring and maintenance solutions and predictive analytics enable production optimization.

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