Statistics from Swedish Wind Energy highlight concerns the country’s government’s work to speed up and improve the permit process for both onshore and offshore wind power needs to pick up pace.
New statistics from Svensk Vindenergi on the expansion of wind power in Sweden shows that five investment decisions were made for new wind power during the first quarter of the year.
A total of 222MW of new turbines were ordered during this period.
The investment decisions are made for projects that have received all their permits, but the outlook is less hopeful in terms of the pace of how many new projects are getting permits.
The reform pace for more predictable and shorter permit processes needs to increase if we are to complete Sweden’s electrification by the year 2030 in order to be able to meet Sweden’s climate goals by the year 2045, according to the association.
Erik Almqvist, who is responsible for the electricity grid and electricity market at Svensk Vindenergi, said: “It is gratifying that investment decisions continue to be made for new wind power in Sweden, but we see that the expansion of electricity production in the coming years risks losing speed and volume.
“If that happens, the obvious risk is that it will not be possible to meet the industry’s increasing electricity needs in the next 10 years.
“A concern is seriously building that there will not be enough new permits for both onshore and offshore wind power quickly enough through the Swedish permit process.”
Swedish Wind Energy’s compilation of wind power projects in the permit process shows that the industry is prepared to respond to the industry’s increased electricity needs by projecting 17GW of wind power on land and 106GW offshore, but so far only 4GW or 2GW granted permission.
To shorten the permit process now, political proposals and initiative are needed, the organisation argued.
The rule changes that have already been investigated regarding the municipal veto and compensation for nearby residents – in combination with a clear financial government incentive for municipalities that contribute to electrification – need to be put in place quickly, it added.
Furthermore, Swedish Wind Energy said the government needs to make positive decisions about the offshore wind farms that are awaiting notification and not wait for investigation reports.
Without clear political signals about the importance of an increased pace in wind power expansion, there is a risk that Sweden will become less attractive to invest in, it warned.