Sweden to support municipalities that say 'yes' to wind farms

More than one billion crowns (97 million euros) will be spent on this aid by 2027, Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari said at a press conference.

"The number of wind farm projects rejected by municipalities has increased in recent years," the minister stressed.

According to her, "one of the obstacles to the development of wind energy is the lack of acceptance by the local population" and their resistance to these projects. "We want to change that."

But no announcement has been made regarding offshore wind power - another crucial component of the energy transition, nor on the right of veto of municipalities - a brake according to several political leaders on the development of this renewable energy in the country, deplored Fredrik Olovsson, spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party on energy policy.

In early September, the Swedish public energy group Vattenfall announced that it was suspending a major offshore wind project, assuring that the investment conditions for this type of energy were "currently not viable in Sweden".

The Conservative government is also examining ways to ensure that local populations benefit from the economic spin-offs of the installation of wind farms.

"The goal is (...) that local residents have the right to a share of the income," promised Romina Pourmokhtari.

The government's announcement was welcomed by the industry organisation Svensk vindenergi.

"It is important to increase electricity production in Sweden in the short term to meet the increased demand for electricity from industry. The wind industry believes that it is reasonable that municipalities that contribute to electrification receive a share of the government pie," argued Daniel Badman, chairman of the organization.