The solar energy produced in the park will power Gröna Lund, Kolmården and Skara Sommarland during the summer seasons. By using solar energy as their primary power source, the theme parks are now taking a significant step towards a more sustainable and green future.
The solar park is a collaboration between Svea Solar, Bixia and Parks and Resorts and will generate just over 20 GWh per year, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 4,000 homes in Sweden. The investment means that the amusement parks Gröna Lund, Kolmården and Skara Sommarland will be powered entirely by solar energy during the summer seasons, with the surplus electricity being fed into the public grid.
– We are extremely proud of the new solar park that will supply three of our parks with all electricity throughout the summer season. As a long-term player in the hospitality industry, a sustainable electricity supply is a matter of course to strive for, but it is not always easy. Thanks to the collaboration with Bixia and Svea Solar, we have secured our electricity supply while contributing to Sweden's energy transition, says Christer Fogelmarck, CEO of Parks and Resorts.
During the summer months, sheep will graze in the solar park to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of the area. The solar panels create shade, which makes the grass more nutritious to graze on, and the sheep help keep the grass and other vegetation short. A passage will allow wild animals to pass freely through the park.
– We are very happy that the park is now inaugurated and operational. It is an important contribution to the Swedish energy transition to green electricity and historic in several ways. In addition to being the largest park in Sweden, it also shows how the business community can cooperate to take responsibility for future electricity consumption. It enables more large solar parks to be built and, in the long run, more renewable electricity to be produced and contributes to the green transition, says Erik Martinson, CEO and co-founder of Svea Solar.
A solar park can be built in just 12–18 months, making solar power by far the fastest route to more renewable energy. And one way to quickly achieve the expansion of large-scale solar power is through power purchase agreements, or PPAs, where a company buys electricity from a solar park for a fixed price over a predetermined period of time. A PPA enables financing of the project and new solar power can come into place.
– We are actively working to increase renewable and locally produced electricity and this collaboration is a clear sign of how long-term partnerships can contribute to just that. All parts are needed and together we contribute to the green energy transition. It is a deal that all parties can be happy about and that Parks and Resorts visitors can then take part in, says Magnus Reitersjö, Vice President at Bixia.
According to the press release.
