In line with the pressing advice of the Swedish armed forces, the Swedish government blocks 13 of 14 planned offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea. According to the defence ministry, wind turbines will block the country’s ability to detect enemy submarines and seriously impacts the national security.
“The government believes that it would lead to unacceptable consequences for Sweden’s defence to build the (proposed) projects in the Baltic Sea area,” Defence Minister Pål Jonson said at a press conference on 4 November 2024.
Not near airbases either
The objections by the Swedish military are nothing new. Already for decades the armed forces have been opposing wind turbines in certain areas, including near airbases. The pillars and the rotors cause trouble for the radar systems of the country, including its air defence radars, the military argues. At sea, the wind farms make it more difficult for sonar and radar to spot enemy surface vessels and submarines. Therefore the Swedish military does not want any wind power production near the Finnish island of Åland, nor in the Baltic Sea south of it.
More nuclear power
Recently, the Swedish government has set course to renew and/or expand the country’s exisiting nuclear power production, which provides about 40% of the energy needs. Between 40 and 50% is covered by hydro power. The rest includes some onshore wind farms, but hardly any solar farms. | © 2024 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com (text and photo). Featured photo: the Swedish east coast further north is not included in the objections.