Green Power Sweden has called on the government to consider defence interests earlier in the permitting process to accelerate renewable energy development.
In its response to the consultation on ‘Early notification of appropriate use of land and water’, the association said early balancing of energy projects against defence priorities could provide developers with greater predictability and shorten planning timelines.
Green Power Sweden welcomed the government’s ambition to streamline permitting through the Environmental Permit Inquiry but said the current proposal for early area use notifications would have limited value for the industry.
“We call for a holistic approach and a comprehensive strategy that ensures coordinated implementation of proposals from the EU and at national level for more efficient permitting processes,” the organisation said, adding that strengthened land and sea energy planning tools are also needed.
Industry lawyer at Green Power Sweden, Ina Müller Engelbrektson (pictured) said: “If the proposals are to be implemented, we urge the government to introduce time limits for government decisions on area use decisions and to extend the validity of such decisions to at least ten years. This would provide investors with increased long-term security and predictability.”
The association said that assessing energy projects solely against defence interests-both military and civilian-without extensive documentation could give developers earlier clarity, improving planning and speeding up Sweden’s electrification.