The municipal veto in Sweden has so far in 2025 blocked 26 out of 29 proposed onshore wind projects, according to new statistics compiled by Westander Climate and Energy on behalf of Green Power Sweden.
The rejected projects amount to 346 out of 359 turbines, with the potential to generate 7.3TWh of new electricity.
This marks a sharp rise in rejection rates compared with the past five years, when municipalities approved around 50–70% of projects.
“In practice almost all projects are being stopped, and investment in new renewable electricity risks disappearing altogether,” said Ina Müller Engelbrektson, legal counsel at Green Power Sweden.
The government pledged in September 2024 to compensate municipalities with revenue equivalent to wind power property tax, as well as to introduce incentives for local residents and communities.
But according to Green Power Sweden these measures have yet to be implemented.
“For municipalities to say yes, government must immediately ensure that compensation is paid out and that promised incentives are put in place. Every month of delay means projects are postponed or never happen,” Engelbrektson added.
The data also highlights significant regional differences.
In Dalarna, all projects have been vetoed this year despite warnings that insufficient new electricity supply could severely impact two-thirds of local businesses by 2030.
Kronoberg has also seen multiple projects blocked, while Skåne approved its first project in nine years – in that case a repowering scheme.