Site selection process

Environmental Code

Wind onshore and nearshore: The two main things wind power developers have to bear in mind in the site selection process are the preliminary willingness of the municipality to have a potential wind farm in their area, and the compatibility of the area with military land use interests. It is also advised for the wind power developer to investigate the intended site’s proximity to the electricity grid and the available grid capacity. Sweden does not have a central, coordinated plan for wind power development, neither onshore nor offshore. Regional level spatial plans or marine plans may identify suitable sites but these plans serve as recommendations and not as binding guidelines. In Sweden, municipalities are the authorities responsible for most spatial planning, preparing and adopting comprehensive plans for the municipality as a whole, and development plans for residential areas.
According to the Environmental Code (Chapter 3 Art 9), all objects exceeding the height of 20 m outside of densely populated areas and 45 m in densely populated areas that could affect the national interests of the Swedish Armed Forces are required to receive referral of the Armed Forces. In practice, this function is fulfilled as a consultation with a special spatial planning team of the Ministry of the Defence. There is a chance for a preliminary consultation with the Ministry of Defence to determine whether the area is suitable for wind power development, or if there are national security constraints blocking the project.
Geothermal: Site selection is not highly relevant for small and medium-sized ground-sourced heat pumps as most areas are, by default suitable for them, with the exception of groundwater reservoirs.

● Ministry of Defence
● Municipalities
● (Local DSO)