Stockholm-based electric utility Ellevio has acquired Markbygden Net, a grid connection infrastructure company and operator of phase 1 of the Markbygden 1101 wind farm cluster in Sweden, from developers Svevind and Enercon.

Markbygden Net connects 1.7GW of wind energy capacity through 63km of 150-kilovolt (kV) overhead lines to Sweden’s electricity grid. The company’s assets include the Råbacken substation and the connecting infrastructure of the Markbygden 1101 wind farm cluster.

Svevind and Enercon established Markbygden Net in 2011 to develop the infrastructure needed to connect Markbygden 1101 wind turbines to the Swedish grid. In 2013, the Råbacken substation was connected to the 400kV national grid and the final extension was completed this year.

Last year, the substation transmitted nearly 2.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) of clean energy to the grid, representing approximately 8% of national wind power production. It is expected that next year, the annual generation interconnected through the Råbacken substation could increase to more than 5TWh.

For Ellevio, the acquisition is considered a strategic move, as it brings it a step closer to its goal of supporting the country’s energy transition towards net-zero emissions by 2045.

Ellevio CEO Johan Lindehag said: “As one of Sweden’s largest energy companies, we play a key role in the electrification of industry and transport, including the distribution of electricity from the increasing share of renewables.

“With the acquisition of Markbygden Net AB, we will be a long-term, reliable and engaged partner that secures the supply of green energy to growing industry needs.”

Said to be one of the largest wind farm clusters in Europe, Markbygden 1101 will have an estimated total production of 3.4GW and will deliver up to 12TWh per year.

With the acquisition, Ellevio will have five customers including the wind farm operators.

Svevind CEO Wolfgang Kropp said: “After more than 12 years of planning and implementation work, as well as the successful operation of the grid connection point, we are now handing over the responsibility for successful, long-term operation into the hands of specialised grid operators and energy suppliers.

“With its long-term planning and sustainable views, Ellevio is exactly the right partner for this.”