Positive wind reactions – but not enough

The wind power industry is cautiously positive about the government's proposal, but lacks regulation of the municipal veto. "Two out of three is not bad – but all parts will be needed", writes Tomas Hallberg on Svensk Vindenergi.

» Published:

Positive wind reactions – but not enough
Photo: Helena Landstedt/TT

Share this article

That the municipalities receive corresponding property tax from wind power producers is good. For 2025, the government's proposed grant of 340 million kronor corresponds to 75 öre per kilowatt-hour (kwh), according to Svensk Vindenergi.

Similarly, it's a thumbs up for the proposal that those living near a wind turbine are economically compensated, in the form of profit-sharing with wind power owners and that the property owner has the right to redeem their residence.

But.

"What we lacked today was the adjustment of the municipal veto", writes Tomas Hallberg, responsible for permit issues at the industry organization.

Municipalities Positive

What Svensk Vindenergi wants to see is that the municipalities' responses become binding, that they should not be able to change their minds during the permit process, which creates uncertainty for investors.

We welcome this. This facilitates dialogue with municipal residents, says Ann-Sofie Eriksson, section chief at the municipalities' interest organization SKR.

She points out that other countries have similar arrangements.

How many more municipalities that previously vetoed and now can be expected to say yes is, of course, difficult to know.

"I believe that more municipalities will approve and that means that more projects will come to environmental review", writes Tomas Hallberg in an email response to TT. But it will, due to lengthy environmental reviews, take until at least 2030 before today's potential yes-answers from municipalities become a reality in the form of new wind turbines.

Hydro Power as Well

This is what another stakeholder says about the government's proposal, which aims to get more wind power projects off the ground:

"The government's announcement of strengthened support to municipalities with wind power is positive, it's good that the proposed support covers both new and existing production", says energy company Fortum Sweden's CEO Peter Strannegård in a written comment.

He would like to see hydro power treated similarly, that the money from property tax goes to the local municipalities.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Trump Proposes Ending Quarterly Reports for Wall Street Companies

Trump Proposes Ending Quarterly Reports for Wall Street Companies

EU Regulators Seek Stricter Crypto Supervision by ESMA

EU Regulators Seek Stricter Crypto Supervision by ESMA

Elon Musk Buys $1 Billion in Tesla Shares, Boosting Stock by 7%

Elon Musk Buys $1 Billion in Tesla Shares, Boosting Stock by 7%

China Investigates Nvidia for Competition Law Violations

China Investigates Nvidia for Competition Law Violations

USA and China Reach Framework Agreement on Tiktok's Future

USA and China Reach Framework Agreement on Tiktok's Future

Black Soldier Fly Oil and Protein Developed for Animal Feed

Black Soldier Fly Oil and Protein Developed for Animal Feed

Basmati Rice Dispute Stalls EU-India Trade Agreement

Basmati Rice Dispute Stalls EU-India Trade Agreement

Stockholm Stock Exchange Stalls as Wall Street Opens

Stockholm Stock Exchange Stalls as Wall Street Opens

Sweden Construction Costs Rise 0.4% in August Amid Higher Electricity Prices

Sweden Construction Costs Rise 0.4% in August Amid Higher Electricity Prices

Swedes Report Decreased Satisfaction with Banks This Year

Swedes Report Decreased Satisfaction with Banks This Year

Fashion Trade Sales Rise for Third Consecutive Month

Fashion Trade Sales Rise for Third Consecutive Month

Powell's Rate Signal Influences Swedish Households Too

Powell's Rate Signal Influences Swedish Households Too

Asian Markets Rise Despite Weak China Data

Asian Markets Rise Despite Weak China Data

ANZ Bank Faces Record Fines for Bond Deal Misconduct

ANZ Bank Faces Record Fines for Bond Deal Misconduct

Trump Welcomes Foreign Investment and Workforce in the USA

Trump Welcomes Foreign Investment and Workforce in the USA

Government Boosts Support for Sweden's Regional Airports

Government Boosts Support for Sweden's Regional Airports

Klarna CEO: Embracing "Swedishness" as a Key Asset

Klarna CEO: Embracing "Swedishness" as a Key Asset

Handelsbanken Swish Payment Disruption Resolved

Handelsbanken Swish Payment Disruption Resolved

Government Proposes Increased Export Credit Guarantees for Swedish Companies

Government Proposes Increased Export Credit Guarantees for Swedish Companies

AstraZeneca Halts UK Research Facility Expansion Plans

AstraZeneca Halts UK Research Facility Expansion Plans