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Sweden Rejects 13 Offshore Wind Farms Due to Security Concerns

Sweden Rejects 13 Offshore Wind Farms Due to Security Concerns
Source: AFP/Getty Images
  • PublishedNovember 5, 2024

The Swedish government has rejected 13 proposed offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, citing concerns about their impact on national security, Bloomberg reports.

Defense Minister Pal Jonson stated at a press conference that the projects would hinder the country’s ability to defend itself against potential threats from Russia.

Jonson highlighted the “extremely sensitive” security situation in the Baltic Sea, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He emphasized that while Sweden needs to significantly increase its power production to meet the demands of a rapidly electrifying economy, national security must take precedence.

“The interests of the Armed Forces must weigh extra heavily on any decisions taken,” Jonson asserted. “By building these projects, our response in the event of an attack would be much slower.”

The rejected projects would have collectively generated about 140 terawatt-hours of electricity, nearly equal to Sweden’s current demand. While not all projects were guaranteed approval, the decision represents a major setback for the nation’s renewable energy ambitions.

The Defense Minister explained that the wind farms could impede submarine activity and delay the ability to detect and react to incoming missiles.

The Swedish Armed Forces have previously also vetoed onshore wind parks that were deemed detrimental to national defense. The only offshore wind project granted approval, Poseidon, is located on the west coast.

Written By
Michelle Larsen