Swedish court rejects 16-turbine wind farm proposal by Statkraft

Sweden’s Land and Environment Supreme Court has turned down Norwegian power company Statkraft’s plan to build a 16-turbine wind farm in the southeastern Swedish municipality of Vastervik.

The court ruling comes after the municipal council in Vastervik withdrew its earlier approval of the proposal in Kalmar County, Vattenfall said on Friday.

“The verdict is deplorable and sends a negative signal to the industry that the permit processes surrounding the design of new wind power are highly uncertain,” said Jakob Norstrom, CEO of Statkraft Sweden, adding that the country would need political reforms in order to manage electricity demand and production issues.

Statkraft first applied to build the Tribbhult wind farm with 26 turbines back in 2014, after which it made revisions to its proposal several times and reduced the turbine number. At end-2020, it was awarded a permit for a 16-turbine layout by the Kalmar County Administrative Board.

Statkraft noted it is nevertheless eager to expand in the Swedish market and is working on several other projects, while it is also exploring additional growth opportunities.

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