The Swedish government has approved two offshore wind projects in the country’s exclusive economic zone while rejecting eleven others, finalizing all offshore wind permit applications under review.
The approved projects are Fyrskeppet Offshore, around 54 kilometers east of Söderhamn in the southern Gulf of Bothnia, and Vidar, approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Strömstad in the northern Skagerrak.
Fyrskeppet Offshore, developed by Skyborn Renewables, is authorized to install up to 93 wind turbines and expected to generate 8 TWh to 11 TWh of electricity annually. Initial plans included 187 turbines with a generation capacity of about 2.8 GW.
The 2 GW Vidar project, developed by Vattenfall and Zephyr, will have up to 75 turbines, with an expected annual generation of up to 7.8 TWh. Vattenfall CEO Anna Borg stated to Reuters that the company would not proceed with the Vidar project currently due to unfavorable market conditions.
Both offshore wind farms must be completed by 2036. Developers need permits for subsea export cables to connect the projects to Sweden’s onshore transmission grid before beginning construction.
Meanwhile, the government rejected permits for Bothnia Offshore Lambda North, Bothnia Offshore Sigma, Eystrasalt Offshore, Gretas Klackar 1, Gävle Öst Havsvindpark, Mareld, Najaderna, Olof Skötkonung, Polargrund Offshore, Sylen, and Västvind.
The rejected projects, according to the government, would adversely impact Sweden’s defense capabilities. The Swedish Armed Forces identified conflicts with areas designated for national defense interests. Despite their potential to contribute to fossil-free electricity generation, current conditions prevent these projects from proceeding due to defense priorities.
The government clarified that these rejections do not permanently exclude these sea areas from future offshore wind development. They could be reconsidered once Sweden shifts to an auction-based system for offshore wind.
These decisions follow the government’s prior approvals of the Kattegatt Syd, Galene, and Poseidon offshore wind farms, with the latter approved in November 2024, when 13 other applications were rejected, also due to defense conflicts.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz