Sweden rejects 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea

The government of Sweden has rejected applications to build 13 offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea economic zone citing security concerns.

The decision was taken after an assessment conducted by the Ministry of Defence showed the offshore wind farms would increase security risks for the country.

Specifically, the wind farms would increase the time it takes to detect and shoot down missiles should a conflict occur.

Defense Minister Pål Jonson commented in a press statement: "Based on the Armed Forces' documentation, the government makes the assessment that it would lead to unacceptable consequences for Sweden's military defence to build the projects in question.

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"In the serious security policy situation Sweden now finds itself in, with war in our immediate area, the defence interest must weigh heavily when judgments like this are made."

The wind farm that have been vetoed include include:

• Arkona
• Aurora
• Baltic Offshore Beta
• Baltic Offshore Delta North
• Cirrus
• Swell
• Erik Segersäll
• Neptune
• Pleione
• Ski blades
• Skåne Offshore Wind Park
• Southern Victoria
• Triton

The affected offshore wind developers include OX2, Eolus, Ørsted, RWE, Freja Offshore, Deep Wind Offshore and Statkraft

The government statement emphasised that while the wind farms would generate much-needed electricity and would drive decarbonisation efforts significantly, the interests of defence must come first.

Climate and Environment minister, Romina Pourmokhtari stated: "The testing of wind power often raises complex conflicts of interest and therefore requires careful consideration. The government has taken note of views from expert authorities, organisations and individuals in these cases. In these current cases, however, the defence interest has weighed the most."

Poseidon Wind Farm has received the green light, which will be located outside Stenungsund and will produce up to 5.5TWh annually.

The Kattegatt Syd and Galene wind farms will also be going ahead as planned, with the government looking to streamline permitting procedures to ensure faster development.

In order to meet the increasing need for green electricity, Sweden intends to implement measures to strengthen supply by 2030. These include expanding the nuclear sector with new projects, implementing pilot projects with gas turbines and promoting hydropower project development.

However, the decision to scrap these 13 wind farms could result in the loss of €47 billion ($51 billion) in private investment, according to Wind Europe, and will negatively impact investor confidence in the country.

Giles Dickson, CEO of WindEurope expressed his concern at the decision in a statement: "The Swedish Government has been unhelpful on offshore wind for many years. But a plain ban on offshore wind development in large parts of the Baltic Sea is unheard of. This makes no sense, not least when all the other countries around the Baltic Sea want to build more offshore wind and are progressing well on it.

"...Investors will now think twice before developing offshore wind in Sweden, particularly when neighbouring countries offer better and more reliable approaches to offshore wind development."

This story was updated on 7 November 2024 to reflect commentary from Wind Europe