Aneo is acquiring a stake in the Swedish solar company Sunna Group AB, and will contribute to the development of 1 TWh of solar power in Sweden, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 50,000 households.
- Sunna Group is a very exciting company, featuring some of Sweden’s foremost experts in solar energy. We have been closely following Sunna for a while. They have made significant progress in a short time, and we look forward to developing and operating solar parks in Sweden together with them, says Ståle Gjersvold, CEO of TrønderEnergi and Aneo.
TrønderEnergi and HitecVision are behind the new renewable company Aneo, which aims to become one of the leading renewable energy companies in the Nordics in the fields of renewable energy production, electrification, and energy efficiency.
- First step out into the Nordics
Aneo is expected to be formally established by the end of September, but Gjersvold already announces that the company is acquiring a stake in Sunna Group AB, a specialist in large-scale solar energy development in Sweden. Aneo will acquire a 23 percent share in Sunna, which has its headquarters in Åre, as well as offices in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
– To succeed with the green transition, we must be bold enough to invest in new energy. This must happen now, not sometime in the future. Sunna Group is skilled, proactive, and shares our ambition. Partnering with them is a natural first step into the Nordics for us. Solar power, like onshore wind power, is crucial for reaching climate goals in the short term, says Gjersvold.
Goal of 1 gigawatt solar power
By injecting capital and competence, Aneo aims to empower Sunna to achieve its goal of 1 TWh (terawatt-hours) of solar energy production by 2030. 1 TWh of solar power equates to the consumption of approximately 50,000 households.
Specifically, this will happen as Aneo finances the development and becomes the majority owner in each solar park once they are developed and ready to be built. Sunna will remain a co-owner in the projects, even after the solar parks are initiated.
– We have an ambition to become one of the largest players in large-scale solar energy in Sweden, says Marcus Qviberg, Managing Director of Sunna Group.
He describes Aneo and TrønderEnergi as the perfect partner for Sunna.
– Through collaboration with them, we not only secure the capital needed for the projects and constructions but also gain extensive experience in project development, primarily in wind and hydro power, which will positively contribute to our business development, says Qviberg.
Searching for more area
Sunna currently has eight ongoing and planned solar park projects with a combined installed capacity of just over 250 megawatts. The first solar park is expected to be operational in 2023. A solar park is estimated to produce electricity for at least 30-35 years and requires minimal maintenance, meaning the area both in and around the park is not a barrier for plants, insects, and wildlife.
– Solar parks have a lifespan of at least 30 years, and besides producing green electricity, we can simultaneously ensure biodiversity through solar parks, says Qviberg.
He emphasizes that Sunna is working hard to find suitable land for establishing new solar parks.
– We are looking for more available areas such as those not suitable for agriculture, but which can be a long-term investment for sustainable energy.
Aiming to increase from 1 to 10 percent solar power
The amount of solar power in the Swedish energy mix currently accounts for 1-2 percent, while in Denmark and Germany, it is 10 percent. In Norway, solar power only makes up about one thousandth of the total energy production.
– The Nordics have a long way to go to harness the energy that the sun can provide. With development projects that have little environmental impact, we can easily step up to 10 percent solar energy in the total energy balance in Sweden and the Nordics, says Qviberg.
Aneo has ambitions to build knowledge and experience from solar power projects in Sweden that can be transferred to new projects in Norway and other Nordic countries.
– We will contribute our expertise from hydro and wind power development in Norway to solar power projects in Sweden. Then we can bring back new knowledge from solar power development to Norway when we have projects ready to be built here. Exchanging experiences and learning from each other will be very important, and aligns perfectly with Aneo's ambition to expand renewable energy production in the Nordics, says Tormod Eggan, Senior Vice President for Renewable Energy Growth at TrønderEnergi.
