Finland's Solar Project Plan Wins Permits as DRD Advances 120MWp Relletinsuo

Downing Renewable Developments has reached a regulatory milestone in Finland, with its 120 MWp Relletinsuo Solar Project in Siikajoki, Northern Ostrobothnia, now holding legally binding building permits.

The approval follows the recent securing of siting permits and, according to an announcement dated 29 October 2026, makes Relletinsuo the first DRD renewable energy project in Finland to achieve this stage of consenting.

Battery storage alongside a 120 MWp array

The project will occupy approximately 150 hectares and is designed to generate around 120 MWp. It will be co-located with a 40 MW/160 MWh battery energy storage system, a pairing that positions Relletinsuo among the largest solar developments in Finland and makes it the largest combined solar and storage project in the country.

Relletinsuo is presently in the pre-construction phase, with building works scheduled to start in summer 2027 and commercial operations targeted for the fourth quarter of 2028.

Leadership comments on Nordic ambitions

Tony Gannon, Head of Downing Renewable Developments, described the milestone as another important step forward for the company's activities in the Nordics, adding that DRD continues to see attractive opportunities in Finland and Sweden as it builds its presence and project pipeline across the region.

Taina Hyppola, Head of Downing Renewable Developments Finland, said the legally binding building permits mark an important moment for both the project and the company in Finland. She pointed to the planned 120 MWp of solar generation alongside battery storage as evidence of the scale of DRD's ambitions in the Finnish market.

Hyppola also expressed gratitude to the municipality, landowners, and neighbors, and said the company looks forward to working with key project stakeholders, including local communities, as development advances towards construction.

Using existing grid infrastructure

The siting of Relletinsuo aligns with national land use objectives by making maximum use of existing grid connection infrastructure. An existing 110 kV transmission line runs immediately east of the project area.

Contribution to Finland's 2035 target

DRD says the project will support Finland's goal of carbon neutrality by 2035 and contribute to the green transition. The company describes Relletinsuo as a significant investment in the area, one that will strengthen the regional economy through real estate tax revenue and DRD's proposals to support the wider community.

Employment is also expected to benefit significantly, particularly during the construction phase. According to the company, solar power remains among the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways of producing energy.