Wind energy and employment

The employment effects of wind power in Finland consist of the design, construction, operation and maintenance of wind power projects, as well as the industrial manufacture of components and materials used in wind turbines. The wind power capacity (about 2,000 MW) built in Finland by the end of 2018 will generate 55,800 man-years of work for Finns over its 20-year life cycle. The direct employment effect of wind power generation is 2,600 man-years, with a multiplier effect of more than 53,000 man-years. (Ramboll 2019.)

55 800 MYFinnish wind power capacity (2,000 MW) at the end of 2018 will generate 55,800 man-years of work over its 20-year life cycle.

Of the life cycle phases of a wind power project, most jobs are created during the operation phase, which is the longest phase. Most of the direct employment effects of wind power projects are also generated during the operational phase. Over 40,000 man-years are generated during the operation of Finnish wind farms, of which 2,200 are direct. The operational phase includes the operation, maintenance and repair of the wind turbine, as well as insurance and management for 20 years.

The next largest number of jobs will be created during the construction phase of a wind power project. The construction of a wind power capacity (about 2,000 MW) built in Finland by the end of 2018 will employ a total of about 13,000 man-years. The employment impact of the design phase was 1,500 man-years and the demolition phase will be about 1,300 man-years.

Finnish industry has a long experience as a supplier of components for wind turbines and materials used in wind power turbines. Finnish industrial companies have long been subcontractors of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers. (Energy Industry 2014.) Domestic wind power technology employed approximately 2,000 people in Finland in 2018.

Domestic know-how in the operation phase

There are many levels of service, and the rapid response team should always be close to the wind farm. These teams are hired by a wind turbine manufacturer or independent service company or purchased from a local service provider. Turbine-specific expertise comes from a wind power manufacturer. Remote monitoring of wind farms is often also centralized overseas, but this is only a small part of the whole.

There are many companies specializing in wind power maintenance in Finland, which are increasing their share of the maintenance market and have been able to hire more Finnish personnel. In addition, there are companies specializing in blade maintenance, adjustment and repair in Finland, which have grown their operations both domestically and abroad.

The wind farm requires more maintenance than wind turbine maintenance. This includes, but is not limited to, maintenance of roads, structures and power grids. These are largely the responsibility of the local staff because of the short response times required and the unpredictable need for work. In addition, there will be indirect jobs created by the project communities, especially during the busy construction phase. In many places, for example, hotels have been crowded throughout the construction period due to wind power projects.