en.Wedoany.com Reported - Finnish renewable energy investor Korkia has obtained an environmental permit for its Smedjebacken hybrid energy project in Dalarna County, central Sweden.

The permit was granted by the Environmental Assessment Delegation of the Dalarna County Administrative Board to Korkia's Swedish subsidiary, Korkia Renewables Development Sweden. Prior to approval, the project underwent an environmental impact assessment and public consultation in accordance with the Swedish Environmental Code. The approval confirms that the project complies with all current environmental regulations, providing legal support for entering the construction phase.

The Smedjebacken hybrid project plans include a 150MWp solar photovoltaic power plant and a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 150MW/600MWh. Once operational, the project is expected to generate approximately 150GWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the power needs of tens of thousands of Swedish households.

Korkia stated that large-scale solar projects of this size remain relatively rare in Sweden, and there are few similarly permitted sites across the Scandinavian Peninsula. Located in the Vilmoren forest area, the project is considered a flagship initiative by Korkia, aimed at supporting Sweden's transition to a fossil-free energy system.

Matti Manner, Korkia's Country Manager for Sweden, said that obtaining the environmental permit for this flagship project is a significant milestone for the company's operations in Sweden. The legally binding environmental permit, combined with secured grid connection, provides a clear path to achieving "ready-to-build" status.

Hazim Sekic, CEO of Korkia Renewables Development Sweden, noted that the project reflects the company's strong project pipeline and long-term commitment to the Swedish market. As Sweden's energy system continues to transform, such projects are crucial for advancing electrification and enhancing system resilience.

Korkia's overall renewable energy project pipeline currently includes 15GW of mature assets and 9GW of early-stage development projects across North America, Europe, and South America.