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Daniel Badman, CEO, Swedish Wind Energy Association
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During the Swedish Wind Energy Association's (SWEA) conference VÅRVIND2024 in May, State Secretary Daniel Westlén stood on stage and stated that in the short term, wind power needs to do the heavy lifting if Sweden is to generate more power to reach the government's planning target of 300 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2045. He also emphasised the need for local incentives for wind power, pointing out the problem of municipalities using their veto to such an extent. The State Secretary announced that this is an issue that is currently being worked on in the Government Offices. The Government would be returning with a draft bill. Looking at the possibility of transferring property tax to the municipalities will also be included in the work, a message that SWEA welcomes.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a couple of important meetings where I hope to see you. 5 June is the last day to secure tickets to SOWF2024 on 13 June in Gothenburg. The conference is the main arena for offshore wind in Sweden. It will be a packed day with interesting talks and presentations. See you in the mingle in the exhibition!
SWEA will also be participating in Almedalen both on and off the stage. Welcome to our seminar on batteries and hybrid wind farms that we will arrange on 27 June!
Finally, I would like to say a few words about the upcoming European Elections when millions of Europeans will vote to decide which Members of the European Parliament will represent them.
The EU in general – and the European Parliament in particular – make laws that impact the growth of renewables in Europe. They have played a crucial role in putting into law the EU’s commitment to become climate neutral by 2050 and the new target of 42.5% of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption by 2030.
The wind industry brings a lot of value to Europe. It increases Europe’s energy security by deploying more local energy, making us less dependent on unreliable energy suppliers – and building infrastructure that’s cyber and data secure. It brings local jobs, investments, and community benefits – especially in rural areas. It protects the natural environment and biodiversity. And of course, it helps fight climate change.
Like our industry does every day, let’s show our support for the values Europe stands for. Let’s make sure we all vote in the European elections.
You can find resources and materials on the official website of the European Parliament and on WindEurope’s campaign webpage.
– Daniel Badman, CEO, Swedish Wind Energy Association
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SWEA is very positive about several of the government's proposals in the bill Steps Towards a More Efficient Environmental Assessment, as they involve concrete measures to improve the permit assessment process. However, we would like to point out that the government needs to continue its work on streamlining the permit process, and we would like to emphasise the importance of the authorities concerned being given sufficient resources to ensure that this work is completed.
Read the commentary here (in Swedish)
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If Magnus Henrekson and his co-authors have no agenda, why is the result so biased? We hope that the media will ask this question, and that they will not be misled by professor titles and an academic approach when the next alarm report is presented by Henrekson, Sundén and the Scandinavian Policy Institute, writes SWEA's CEO Daniel Badman and others in a reply to Aktuell Hållbarhet on May 24, 2024 (in Swedish).
Read the reply here (in Swedish)
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Daniel Badman, CEO, Swedish Wind Energy Association
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In last week's episode of Sigholm's Energy Strategy Podcast, Niclas Sigholm talks to the SWEAS's CEO Daniel Badman, who gives an insight into how the industry is doing and the most current issues right now. The episode is available to listen to where podcasts are available or on the Sigholm website (in Swedish).
The Energy Strategy Podcast is one of the leading energy and tech podcasts in the Nordic region.
Learn more here (in Swedish)
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Episode 18: What can we expect from wind energy in the future?
Ulrika Tornerefelt and Per Schlingmann meet Tomas Hallberg from SWEA in a conversation about the potential and possibilities of wind power. What are the authorisation processes like and what projects can we expect between now and 2045?
The Futura podcast is a knowledge podcast about the energy transition, from Stella Futura.
Listen here (in Swedish)
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Exhibitor package deals for VIND2024 will be launched for non-members on 10 June. Members have a one-week priority from 3 June.
Welcome to the Swedish wind power industry's biggest event 22-23 October at Waterfront Congress Centre in Stockholm!
Questions about the exhibition, your booking etc. should be directed to vind2024@eventum.se.
Stay up to date with VIND!
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Almedalen in Visby, Gotland
Photo: News Øresund – Johan Wessman
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During the 2024 Almedalen Week, SWEA will participate both on and off stage. On 27 June, we will also be hosting the seminar Wind power and batteries – the hybrid farms of the future are already here. We are happy to meet other actors to talk about the conditions for the expansion of wind power on land and at sea, as well as about the role of wind power in maintaining Swedish competitiveness and for the climate transition.
More information is available on the SWEA website (in Swedish)
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The registration for SOWF2024 closes on 5 June. Check out our newly confirmed speakers in a packed programme on offshore wind power's role in regional development, securing green baseload, and opportunities for the supply chain! The programme is given in English.
Register here!
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SWEA has compiled data on wind power projects that will be commissioned between 2020 and 2026. The compilation shows a historically rapid rate of expansion that is operated without subsidies or government financial guarantees and where wind power investments amount to SEK 140 billion by 2026.
Learn more here (in Swedish)
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SWEA exhibited at the Christian Democrats' municipal and regional political event in Västerås on 3-4 May to explain how onshore and offshore wind power is the main energy source that can contribute in the near future to the increased electricity production required for the industry's transition. This transition is needed both for Sweden to achieve its climate goals and for strengthened competitiveness and more jobs.
During this term of parliament, SWEA aims to meet local politicians from all parliamentary parties at their own conferences. So far, we have visited the Moderate Party's Sweden Days, the Green Party's congress, the Left Party's Left Days and the Christian Democrats' Days.
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The expected increase in electricity consumption in Sweden has been postponed and a growing power surplus could create major challenges in the years to come, before consumption is expected to pick up towards 2030, says Arne Bergvik, energy strategist at Sigholm.
Read the article in Montel (in Swedish)
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The increased need for deregulation and the recent very high prices call for measures to urgently increase supply. Svenska kraftnät (Swedish TSO) has therefore decided to prioritise pre-qualification applications with resources for the markets for frequency maintenance reserves for downward regulation in the event of disturbances, FCR-D down, and frequency restoration reserves for downward regulation, mFRR down. Similarly, applications with a larger volume will be prioritised over smaller volumes. The decision is valid until 31 December 2024.
Learn more here (in Swedish)
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If the societal transition is to succeed, the electricity system needs to double in just 20 years. Those who take responsibility must therefore receive a greater share of the value created. We propose that the state should provide SEK 9.5 billion annually to electricity-producing communities and local residents – we ourselves will take the lead and increase compensation to them, writes Fortum's CEO Peter Strannegård.
Read the opinion piece in DN (in Swedish)
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The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has published a basis for review of proposals for amended marine spatial plans. The consultation period runs from 16 May to 30 August. This is the last opportunity to submit comments on the proposal before it is submitted to the Government for decision.
Learn more here (in Swedish)
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The offshore wind turbines in Lillgrund, south of the Öresund Bridge, may have company. In a recent forecast, the Swedish Energy Agency predicts a boom for renewable electricity in Sweden. This is reported by Klimatgranskaren. By 2027, solar power is expected to increase from two to nine terawatt hours, compared to 2022, and wind power is expected to increase from 33 to 53 terawatt hours over the same period.
Read the article in ETC (in Swedish)
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On 30 May, under the Belgian presidency, the Council adopted conclusions on the EU's electricity grid infrastructure. The conclusions propose a series of measures for an interconnected and resilient electricity grid in Europe, to ensure security of supply and decarbonisation in the EU, focusing on investment needs, environmentally inclusive design and hybrid grids connecting countries in the case of offshore wind generation.
Read the conclusions
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By using our dependence on fossil fuels against us, Russia has inadvertently accelerated our green transition and shot itself in the foot at the same time, writes Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Read the opinion piece in DI (in Swedish)
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Swedish stakeholders have had their say. Several stakeholders want to see higher climate ambitions. Here are the Swedish views on the EU's climate target for 2040 and the CCS strategy.
Read more in Aktuell Hållbarhet (in Swedish)
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The Swedish government and the Swedish Energy Agency have not done enough to allow environmental organisations and the public to comment on Sweden's national energy and climate plan – despite this being a clear requirement from the European Commission. This is the view of representatives of the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, supported by researchers in environmental law.
Read the article in DN (in Swedish)
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There is growing frustration in the business community that the expansion of the electricity system is moving too slowly. Now a number of heavyweights are calling on the government to give the go-ahead for more large offshore wind projects and to improve financial incentives for municipalities that approve wind farms.
Read the article in DI (in Swedish)
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The government's ambition to meet a doubling of electricity demand by 2045 is good. But an overly one-sided focus on nuclear power is problematic. The need for electricity in the next ten years and a political focus on 2045 is an equation that does not add up, write several industry representatives.
Read the opinion piece in DI (in Swedish)
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The government's climate policy is one of the areas criticised by the Fiscal Policy Council in a new report. ‘The government lacks a coherent and comprehensible climate strategy’, is one of the conclusions drawn. Just over a month ago, the Climate Policy Council criticised the government's climate policy. Now the Fiscal Policy Council is also criticising the climate policy – from a socio-economic perspective.
Read the article in Tidningen Syre (in Swedish)
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The fact that all parties across the political spectrum lean towards fairness arguments shows something central: fairness is an inevitable part of the transition. But since fairness arguments block change, the conclusion must be that Swedish climate policy is in need of a different approach to fairness, say three researchers from SLU.
Read the opinion piece in Dagens Arena (in Swedish)
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The government is ‘nearing a decision’ on the permits for four offshore wind farms with a total installed capacity of 6.4 GW, according to State Secretary Daniel Westlén. Speaking at the Swedish Wind Energy Association's Spring Wind conference, Daniel Westlén, State Secretary to the Minister for Climate and Environment Romina Pourmokhtari, commented on the status of the 16 applications to establish offshore wind farms in Sweden's economic zone that are on the government's table.
Read the article in Montel News (in Swedish)
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The Government has decided on proposals to streamline and simplify the authorisation processes under the Environmental Code. This means that further steps are being taken to streamline the authorisation processes, so that industry's transition can be accelerated, prosperity increased and emissions reduced more quickly, write ministers Ebba Busch (KD), Romina Pourmokhtari (L) and Elisabeth Svantesson (M).
Read the opinion piece in DI (in Swedish)
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A proposal for financial compensation to municipalities that agree to wind power plans is now being prepared by the government – and wind power companies will bear the costs. The Minister for Climate and Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, does not know at this stage when the proposal might be made. She says they would rather do it right than fast.
Listen in Sveriges Radio (in Swedish)
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New wind power should be built in Skåne to give the best effect. This is the opinion of business leaders in the wind power industry in a new survey conducted by Tyréns. The results also show that there is a lack of expertise in the industry, and that the government gets a failing grade when it comes to working with wind power issues.
Read the article in Nordiska Projekt (in Swedish)
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The County Administrative Board of Gotland has decided to recommend the Government to grant permit according to the Act on Sweden’s exclusive economic zone for the offshore wind farm Aurora developed by OX2 and Ingka Investments. If the Government gives an approval a first phase of the project could be operational by 2030 and deliver over 6 TWh annually to South Sweden. The entire wind farm is expected to be developed by 2035 and can deliver up to 24 TWh on a yearly basis.
Read more
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The wind power company Blekinge Offshore's application to the Land and Environment Court to build between 50 and 70 offshore wind turbines southeast of Hanö is supported by Sölvesborg Municipality.
Listen in Sveriges Radio (in Swedish)
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Deep Wind Offshore is applying to the government to build a new large floating offshore wind farm 7 kilometres east of Nynäshamn. It is the first application to the government for offshore wind power outside Stockholm, says the Norwegian energy company, which expects to invest ‘tens of billions of kronor’ if the project gets the green light.
Read the article in Dagens Industri (in Swedish)
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SGU recommends that the Government approves Freja Offshore's application to install subsea cables within Mareld, an offshore wind farm located approximately 40 kilometres west of Lysekil. This marks an important step forward for the project.
Read the article in Vindkraftsnyheter.se (in Swedish)
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On October 22, Swedish Wind Centre (SWC) will lead a research seminar in connection with VIND2024. SWC will present a selection of newly launched research projects. Additionally, SWC will highlight selected topics where the industry has shown significant interest and present the current state of research in these areas. SWC will be present throughout VIND2024.
The research centre SWC conducts research and disseminates research-based knowledge about wind power for a robust and sustainable energy system. It consists of some 20 organizations, ranging from universities, research institutes, and energy companies to the public sector.
Learn more here
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Source: Finlandsinstitutet
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5 JUNE | 16:00-18:30 | STOCKHOLM
Sweden's municipalities play a central role in doubling the electricity system. There is a broad consensus that municipalities need to capture a greater share of the value from new power generation, but how? Based on experiences from Finland, Fortum has developed a proposal. Welcome to a discussion on the role of municipalities in the upcoming doubling of the electricity system, and what opportunities this opens up for municipalities.
Tomas Hallberg, responsible for permitting issues at SWEA, will participate in the discussion.
Learn more and register here (in Swedish)
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10-11 JUNE | DUBLIN
WindEurope’s two-day technical deep-dive is back next month, from 10-11 June in Dublin. This year promises to be a particularly bustling get-together, with 450+ experts joining us from right across Europe!
It's a chance to meet and listen to innovators, operators, students and wind energy enthusiasts on all the latest in wind resource assessment and analysis of operating wind farms – key to boosting our energy yield and getting us to net-zero.
Register here
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12-13 JUNE | COPENHAGEN
The wind energy industry faces a challenge: responsibly managing the disposal of decommissioned wind turbine blades. To address this, ACI is hosting the European Wind Blade Recycling Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 12th and 13th, 2024.
This two-day event brings together key players in the industry, including recyclers, wind farm operators, blade manufacturers and indeed the wider supply chain of logistics and fibre-based products. The focus will be on the latest developments in wind blade recycling across Europe.
Register here
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13 JUNE | 09:00-18:00 | GOTHENBURG
AUKTIONSVERKET KULTURARENA
We are repeating the successful conference from last year and gathering the wind energy industry, together with key stakeholder, to discuss opportunities for offshore wind power.
SWEA members receive a discount. Contact event@svenskvindenergi.org to receive your discount code. Put your company on display at SOWF2024 in the conference exhibition or by sponsoring the conference.
Learn more here
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22-23 OCTOBER | STOCKHOLM
WATERFRONT CONGRESS CENTRE
Welcome to the Swedish wind power industry's biggest event! Save the date to SWEA's annual conference.
More information on conference tickets will be announced shortly!
Stay up to date with VIND!
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4-5 DECEMBER | GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN
The focus is on so-called ‘end of life strategies and solutions’, which in addition to recycling also includes repowering, lifetime extension and dismantling. The dates are 4-5 December in Gothenburg, and stakeholders can already submit proposals for topics and good examples to present on stage.
Learn more about EoLIS – End of Life Strategies Seminar
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