The government takes over the decision on whether a large offshore wind farm on the west coast will be allowed to be built or not.
The company Eolus Vind does not believe that it will affect the outcome, but one person who benefits from positive news is Minister of Civil Affairs Erik Slottner (KD), who owns shares in the company.
– I reported to the government meeting and did not participate in the decision, writes Erik Slottner in a comment to Aftonbladet.
One of the government’s major projects is energy.
Sweden’s electricity system is to be greatly expanded, primarily through a strong expansion of nuclear power.
Before the 2022 election, there was a compact opposition to wind power locally within M and KD. KD leader Ebba Busch spoke of “steel forests” of wind turbines on land.
However, as Minister of Energy and Food, Ebba Busch has promised more wind power.
Two parks were approved – one was rejected
In May, the government approved two large wind power projects. Kattegat South outside Falkenberg and Galene outside Varberg.
But in July Vattenfall’s project on the west coast, Stora Middelgrund, was rejected, citing that the park would have major negative consequences for important natural values.
Now the government has chosen to take over the decision on the large wind power project Västvind on the west coast.
It is about an offshore wind farm in the Gothenburg area which, if built, will deliver 4 TWhTWhTerrawatt hours. per year.
The Port of Gothenburg has invested in the project and Volvo Cars has signed up to buy part of the electricity produced.
Justification: “Significant scope”
The electricity will be generated through 50 wind turbines, each of which is around 320 meters high. The plan is for construction to be completed in 2029.
The Land and Environmental Court will handle the case, but instead of making a decision, the court must deliver a recommendation to the government, which will therefore have the final word on the matter.
The reason the government is taking over the trial is that it is assumed to have “significant scope”.
The minister owns shares in the company
The company behind the project, Eolus Vind, is listed on the stock exchange. One who has chosen to invest in the wind power company is Minister of Civil Affairs Erik Slottner.
According to the government office’s compilation of the ministers’ financial holdings, which is based on the ministers’ own accounts, Erik Slottner owns shares worth just under SEK 48,000 in Eolus Vind.
A positive announcement from the government would give Eolus Vind a real boost and a thumbs up for the wind farm could raise the company’s share value.
According to Erik Slottner’s press secretary, the civil minister did not participate in the decision-making when the government chose to take over the project from the court.
Even the minister himself claims that.
– I reported to the government meeting and did not participate in the decision, writes Erik Slottner in a comment to Aftonbladet.
The matter is now on the table of Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L).
“Doesn’t value it”
Personnel at the Ministry of Climate and Food describe the project as “unique”. Parts of the park must lie in Sweden’s economic zone and another part in Sweden’s territorial sea.
– This is new for us too, says Anna Lundsgård, head of offshore wind power at Eolus Vind.
– There are very long permit processes. We trust that the park is tested according to current legislation.
Do you foresee it now becoming more difficult to get permission for the park when the government takes over the matter from the court?
– I don’t want to speculate on that. We try to follow laws and regulations and we try to get to our park. Now they have decided to handle this like this, we don’t put any value on it.
In October, Eolus Vind applied to the government to build 70 wind turbines off the Skåne coast. Even a positive message there can cause the company’s share to rise.