The solar park in Linköping inaugurated

The solar park in Linköping was officially inaugurated today by Swedish Minister for Energy and Digital Development, Anders Ygeman. Ygeman spoke about the positive trend in renewable energy in Sweden before ceremoniously inaugurating the park by lighting lamps using electricity from the solar park.

“It is gratifying to see that solar electricity can compete in the market. I hope to see many similar joint projects, where many stakeholders collaborate to bring renewable energy to the market,” says Ygeman.

Present were representatives from Alight, Tekniska verken in Linköping, Infranode and Swedbank, who shared experiences from the journey from concept to commissioning of the park.

“I am happy that we have now officially inaugurated the solar park in Linköping, which we are so proud of. I hope that more people will realize that solar energy is good for the environment and can be profitable as well,” says Harald Överholm, CEO and founder at Alight.

The solar cell park is a joint investment for a more sustainable energy supply

The solar park results from collaboration among four organizations: Alight, Infranode and Tekniska verken in Linköping, which own and finance the park, and Swedbank, which buys the electricity produced. These organizations have decided to invest jointly in building and operating the solar park in order to contribute to a more sustainable energy supply.

Alight has been responsible for the construction and maintenance of the park. Infranode, which specializes in infrastructure investments in the Nordic region, has financed it.

“Infranode’s investment in this project was a given. First, the solar park is an investment in sustainable, green infrastructure, which contributes to transforming society. Second, and together with partners, we always invest long-term in Nordic infrastructure. Third, it will bring good return on investment over time to those who have placed their trust in us,” says Carl-Emil Lindholm, Director and Country Lead for Sweden, Infranode.

The land area for the solar park is owned by Tekniska verken in Linköping.

“I am incredibly proud of the solar park that resulted from our collaboration. We need to see more long-term sustainable energy solutions and the solar park is an important part of Tekniska verken’s investments going forward, says Charlotta Sund, President and CEO of Tekniska verken in Linköping.

Swedbank will purchase the electricity produced. The solar park will provide 30 percent of its electricity needs, enabling Swedbank to add green electricity to the grid.

“Although the park has been in operation since the summer, today’s inauguration has a strong symbolic value for our common journey going forward. Swedbank has agreed over the next 20 years to buy electricity from the park. This signals a long-term commitment to sustainability, not only for us but for society as a whole,” says Fredrik Nilzén, Head of Group Sustainability at Swedbank.

Situated on the outskirts of Linköping along the E4 highway, the solar park covers an area equivalent to 22 football pitches. Approximately 30,000 panels produce electricity equivalent to the annual electricity needs of 2,300 single-family households. This significantly increases the share of renewable electricity in the grid.

One of Sweden’s largest solar parks, the Linköping solar park has been in operation producing electricity since July. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the inauguration was postponed. The park was inaugurated today outdoors with few participants, in keeping with recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

Fast facts about the Linköping solar park

• Location: Gärstadverket in Linköping along the E4 motorway
• Total capacity: 12 MW
• Estimated annual production: about 11.5 GWh (on a sunny summer day 89,000 kWh)
• Able to meet the annual electricity needsof 2,300 single-family households
• Area: 13 hectares, equivalent to 22 football pitches
• Number of solar panels: About 30,000
• Commission date: July 2020 

Partners

• Alight, leading power purchase agreement (PPA) provider and co-owner of the solar park
• Infranode, main financier and co-owner of the solar cell park
• Tekniska verken in Linköping, landowner and co-owner of the solar park
• Swedbank, buyer of all electricity produced through the PPA

Contact
Karin Bäcklund, Head of Communications & PR, Alight, +46 (0)70 875 4677 or karin.backlund@alight-energy.com
Carl-Emil Lindholm, Sverigechef, Infranode, +46 (0)70 566 57 36 or carl-emil.lindholm@infranode.se
Josefine Nygren Uppling, Head of Group Public Affairs, Swedbank AB (publ), +46 (0)76 114 54 21 or josefine.uppling@swedbank.com
Mile Elez, Technical Director, Tekniska verken i Linköping, +46 (0)13 20 81 03 or mile.elez@tekniskaverken.se