Helsingin Sanomat (the largest newspaper in Finland) published a new article https://www.hs.fi/talous/art-2000009263064.html?share=5898b13dc177a576704cb940efb2cd40 on 18 December 2022 regarding a calculation showing that wind power-hydrogen–motor plant–battery combination is a lower cost way to produce electricity than a newly built nuclear power plant.
The presented calculation is missing the cost of impact on nature. This is in contrast to the New Finnish Nature Conservation Act, approved on 13 December 2022, entering into force in June 2023, which brings forward the concept of biodiversity offsetting.
Wind turbines, road network required for their maintenance, and new transmission lines will have a sizable impact on forest cover, and simultaneously on biodiversity. The calculation presented in the article considers 7,200 MW of wind power capacity, implying an investment into 1,200 windmills. Such an on-shore windmill capacity requires conversion of some 2,400 forest hectares to renewable energy production. In addition, new transmission lines are needed.
One transmission line transfers approximately 800 MW of electricity. Hence, two new transmission lines are needed to transfer the electricity of the new wind turbines presented in the calculation. Taking into account a width of a 400-kilovolt transmission line of 40 meters, and assuming the length of the line at 600 km, some 4,800 ha of forest needs to be cleared for the transmission lines. The above adds up to a total forest loss (conversion) of 7,200 hectares.
In addition, there is a loss of biodiversity, requiring specific attention. Based on recent biodiversity offsetting case studies in Finland as well as recent price statistics for forestland, the cost of biodiversity loss could be estimated at some EUR 350 million.
Compensations for the loss of forest area and biodiversity should be included in the production cost of renewable green electricity. Optimally, the consumer price for wind power in the market would incorporate the costs of forest and biodiversity loss.
