Das Projekt "A feasibility study to develop local and regional use of wind energy on the Kola Peninsula, Murmansk region, Russia" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Deutsches Windenergie-Institut durchgeführt. General Information/Objectives: The objective is to form a basis and to build the necessary tools for substantial integration of wind energy into the energy supply system of the Kola Peninsula. The work will consist of verifying the wind potential at the Kola Peninsula and to establish a Wind Atlas, to dimension wind based autonomous power supply systems for remote areas to assess the possibilities for large-scale integration and the economics of wind integration and, to assess and stimulate a regional interest for wind energy, both on a political and a company level. Technical Approach This feasibility study has a broad multi-disciplinary view and takes social, technical and economical problems into account. It is divided into two parts, where the first one essentially focuses on reviewing the material produced on the topic and the second more detailed part transforms it into a form that can be a basis for a large scale utilisation of wind energy in the region. During the first phase, preliminary studies on the possibilities for wind energy utilisation in the Kola Peninsula will be made. The study will focus on some key-questions on the basic possibilities for wind energy projects, i.e. wind resource, applicability of current technology, reimbursement by utilities and general regional interest. It will also clarify the need of new information, such as wind measurements at specific sites. The second phase will then consist of more clearly defined work packages, which are more detailed and produce models, tools and detailed studies that are necessary when planning large scale utilisation. In the second phase necessary complementary information, will be produced. Expected Achievements and Exploitation The use of wind energy could stimulate the economic life of the region and have a significant role in the socio-economic development except for the environmental benefit. It is especially important to involve local Russian enterprises, that can be in charge of a continuous implementation of wind energy in the region. The results of the project will mainly benefit the Murmansk region of the Russian federation, through the development of infrastructure for a future industrial use of wind energy. The benefits are generally social and economical and will enhance the possibilities for establishing small- and medium-sized enterprises in the region. However, the project has also got both scientific and general interest useful for a further development of utilising wind energy. There is a huge but poorly assessed market for autonomous power supply units in the Arctic. This project opens one market for wind/diesel and other hybrid power plants. The project will also open possibilities for joint production of arctic wind technology for new market regions. Most of all, however, the results of this feasibility study will aim at real demonstration projects of wind energy in the region. Prime Contractor: Technical Research Centre of Finland; Espoo; Finland.