Passion for nuclear power is the most important obstacle

While other countries have simpler and faster procedures for setting up wind power offshore, or for all intents and purposes also on land, Sweden’s decision-making process is cumbersome and the possibilities for appeals seem endless. The government has said offshore wind is important, but it does not seem to be as important as nuclear power.

Of course, the procedures contained in Swedish legislation must be followed in a legally safe way, but for those impatient with concerns about climate change, appeal after appeal can be frustrating. Sometimes it seems that wind opponents organize in pin kivs simply to avoid “the ruin of the landscape.” Of course, there are related concerns and worries about animals and nature, but what appealers often overlook is that there is actually a rush to replace all fossil energy. The birds you claim to be protecting are at risk of disappearing because of climate change, not because some wind farms have destroyed their habitat.

This summer, the Land and Environment Court gave a wind power company permission to build a park on the Kattegat River. (HN 27/7)A bird group concerned about the harm done to birds soon appealed to the Land and Environment Court of Appeal. Furthermore, the bird group motivated the appeal for tactical reasons – if the company eventually gets a permit, the rules must be as strict as possible, for the birds’ sake. This is not the first time this has been done, and from an environmental point of view it is a good strategy. The discussion surrounding the construction of the Øresund Bridge has gone unnoticed, and environmental groups’ opposition to the bridge means that it now even appears to be beneficial to marine life.

Wind power has long been a thorn in the side of many politicians, and the government is looking for ways to have its cake and eat it too. Ministers discussed offshore wind first, and attempts to make the process more efficient were buried in the inquiry. The government could have done a lot with existing legislation if it wanted to. The previously existing National Wind Co-ordinator could have continued to play a big role, but the government chose to appoint a National Nuclear Co-ordinator instead.

When scientists try to point out the urgency, they fall on deaf ears. Thomas Dahlgren, a marine biology researcher at the University of Gothenburg, wrote in a debate article (GP May 2023) Research has shown that offshore wind power is actually good for marine life. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide are a major danger to the environment. Other studies have shown that painting one of a wind turbine’s rotor blades black can reduce the risk of birds colliding with the blade.

Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (left) must start this autumn with action, not just words. She can start with the application currently before the government. It makes no sense to postpone decisions when everyone knows that the government’s cherished nuclear power will not be available until the 2030s at the earliest. The slow pace is inexcusable when this summer’s temperature records show the urgency of climate change. Offshore wind power will not solve all problems, but it will be an important signal that Sweden can still be a role model when it comes to fossil-free energy.