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On Thursday evening, the municipal council in Herrljunga decided to approve the Kesemossen wind farm.

“This is a very strong project, and we are pleased that the politicians have made this decision. It shows great responsibility when the electricity situation is so challenging in the region,” says Emma Lundström, project manager at Eolus.

The approval means that the Land and Environment Court can now proceed to determine whether the five wind turbines can be constructed according to the requirements of the Environmental Code.

The Västra Götaland region is in great need of fossil-free electricity to enable the transition that the industrial and transport sectors are currently undergoing. The transition is necessary both to reduce climate impact and for companies to survive in global competition. According to SCB, approximately 50 percent of the energy used in the Västra Götaland region today is fossil-based, mainly in the form of gas and oil.

“Changing this requires, among other things, that businesses and processes are electrified. At the same time, the Västra Götaland region is already dependent on importing electricity from other regions to cover today’s electricity usage by about 70 percent. Therefore, we are especially pleased that the politicians dare to make this decision, despite the fact that, like many other major infrastructure projects, it has sparked local debate,” says Stefan Gustavsson, responsible for community relations at Eolus. “I believe that they have simply considered the importance of jobs in the local industry.”

Eolus has been working for a long time to develop an environmental impact assessment of the project and submitted an application for environmental permits in May last year. Safeguarding the municipality’s interests and being transparent and clear about the permit process has been the focus of the dialogue that Eolus has had with the municipality’s officials and politicians. In addition to the statutory consultation, Eolus has also had close contact with local businesses and local associations.

“We work a lot to contribute to the local community, both through funding for associations, compensation for nearby residents, and opportunities for joint projects, for example, for biodiversity. We know that there is concern among some of those who live closest to the project, and we will continue to maintain close contact with the people in the area to make it as good as possible,” says Emma Lundström.

If the Kesemossen wind farm is granted permission, work will begin to plan in detail how the facility will be built. This will also be done in close cooperation with landowners and nearby residents. The assessment is that the Kesemossen wind farm can be operational and produce renewable electricity by 2029.

Kesemossen Wind Farm
Number of turbines: max 5
Maximum height: 300 metres
Annual electricity production: 135 GWh
Estimated operational start: 2029

Over the weekend, Eolus participated as an exhibitor at the Liberal Party’s national meeting in sunny Karlstad. We were there to discuss how the transition to a fossil-free society can be facilitated through large-scale expansion of renewable energy.

Sweden’s electricity demand is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Our message to the elected representatives of the ruling party included the potential of wind power to play a key role in the climate transition, as well as the challenges we see where more projects are stopped by municipalities before they can undergo environmental assessment.

With over 500 of the Liberal Party’s politicians present over the weekend, we met elected representatives from across the country and got their perspective on local wind power opinion. We experienced great engagement on the issues, and the insights we gained from the Liberals and other meetings with politicians will be very important as we continue to develop our renewable projects. We look forward to strengthening our cooperation with local stakeholders to jointly contribute to a more sustainable future.

Eolus was represented in Karlstad by Stefan Gustavsson, Public Affairs Manager, and Oscar Wiktorsson, Communication Specialist.

Feel free to read more in Svensk Vindenergi’s new report with proposals on how we can solve Sweden’s biggest energy challenges:
25 proposals for a safer, richer, and greener Sweden (In Swedish).

Blekinge Offshore AB has withdrawn its application for an environmental permit for an offshore wind farm off the coast of Sölvesborg, Sweden. The decision comes after the Swedish Armed Forces, in their statement ahead of the main hearing, declared that coexistence in the project area is not feasible.

– Since the Armed Forces have stated that they are not willing to participate in the upcoming main hearing, we see no possibility to proceed under the current circumstances. Therefore, we have withdrawn our application and will revisit the project when conditions change. At present, neither the financial conditions nor the political will exist at the national level in Sweden, says Anders Nilsson, a Sölvesborg resident who has spent nearly 20 years working to make a wind farm in Hanö Bay a reality.

Blekinge Offshore is planned to be located approximately eleven kilometers from the mainland and about five kilometers east of Hanö, within an area in Sölvesborg Municipality’s territorial waters designated as suitable for energy production in Blekinge’s coastal municipalities’ maritime plans.

– The project has a unique local anchoring, with support from all political parties in Sölvesborg. In the longer perspective, we remain convinced that Blekinge Offshore can not only be an important part of Sweden’s electricity supply but also contribute positively to the country’s defense capabilities, says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus, the majority owner of the project company.

In 2016, the Swedish government rejected Blekinge Offshore’s permit application for an earlier version of the project, citing the interests of the Armed Forces. The objections at the time mainly related to the project area’s overlap with a marine training zone and insufficient spacing between the wind turbines. Since 2021, a new project has been developed with a 40% smaller area, 90% fewer turbines, and a fourfold increase in the spacing between them—now two kilometers apart.

In collaboration with several municipalities in the region, Blekinge Offshore has proposed an alternative training area five times the size of the wind farm, sought dialogue on minimum flight altitude, and presented potential technical solutions to enhance defense capabilities through installations on the turbines. Some of these include:

  • Sensors enabling the detection of unauthorized activity near the wind turbines.
  • Sensors that capture acoustic signals from nearby aircraft or ships, as well as underwater sensors to detect submarines, complementing radar systems for monitoring activity in the area.
  • Security and intrusion detection systems, such as drones with surveillance capabilities that can patrol the area and provide real-time imagery to military and/or wind farm operators.
  • The possibility of strengthening NATO’s “Drone Wall” project by serving as dual-use platforms for both renewable energy production and defense infrastructure.
  • Potential support for military exercises and naval operations to enhance Sweden’s defense capabilities in areas with wind power installations.

About Blekinge Offshore:
Annual electricity production: 4.3 TWh
Number of turbines: max 70
Total height: max 330 m
Project area size: approx. 150 km²
Spacing between turbines: approx. 2,000 m

Fornybar by Eolus Hydro Rein has submitted an environmental permit application for the Humletorp Wind Farm in the southeastern part of Årjäng Municipality. With up to twelve wind turbines, the farm is expected to generate 289 GWh of electricity per year, potentially providing millions of kronor in additional revenue for the municipality and local community.

It has been just over a year since Fornybar conducted public consultations to gather input for the environmental impact assessment, which is included in the application.

“We have conducted thorough assessments of wildlife and nature, as well as studies related to residential environments, and we are now ready to apply for an environmental permit,” says Emma Lundström, Permitting Manager for the project.

The approximately 5 km² area boasts excellent wind conditions and remarkably few conflicts of interest. During the consultations, Fornybar presented a compensation model for nearby residents, which includes an annual income for those living closest to the wind turbines, as well as approximately half a million kronor per year in community funds for local associations. Since then, a government announcement has confirmed additional compensation equivalent to property tax, which will be distributed to municipalities hosting wind power projects starting this year. For Årjäng, this is estimated to amount to approximately 3.5 to 4 million kronor annually, based on the information provided by the government so far.

“Humletorp will secure electricity supply for new and existing industries in Årjäng,” says Erika Torstensson, Project Developer at Hydro Rein, highlighting that the local electricity grid has significant state-planned expansion needs. The construction of a wind farm will help accelerate and finance this expansion, benefiting the entire region.

The Humletorp Wind Farm could become a crucial part of a renewable future for Värmland. The region urgently needs fossil-free electricity to support the ongoing transformation of the industrial and transport sectors. This transition is necessary both to reduce climate impact and to ensure that businesses remain competitive in the global market. According to the collaborative project Elkraft Värmland, energy-intensive manufacturing industries in the region already account for half of the county’s electricity consumption and will require even more power in the near future. In a high-demand scenario, the region’s electricity needs could rise from the current 6 TWh to nearly 10 TWh by 2030.

The environmental permit application for the wind farm has been submitted to the County Administrative Board of Örebro, where the environmental review process is now beginning. If the Humletorp Wind Farm is granted a permit, it is estimated that commissioning could take place by 2031. The application comprises several hundred pages, including a large number of appendices such as noise, shadow flicker, and visibility assessments; reports from three years of bird surveys; an archaeological study; bat surveys covering breeding and migration periods; and a biodiversity assessment – all in compliance with Swedish environmental legislation.

Project Overview
Name: Humletorp Wind Farm
Number of turbines: Up to 12
Project area: Approximately 5 km²
Total height: Maximum 300 m
Estimated annual electricity production: 289 GWh – equivalent to the annual household electricity consumption of approximately 58,000 detached houses.
Planned commissioning: 2031

Media contact: Eva Emmelin, Project Communication Specialist:
eva.emmelin@eolus.com
+46 – 76 108 21 06

Eolus has been granted an environmental permit for a wind farm east of Marbäck in Ulricehamn Municipality. “This is a positive decision both for us as a company and for the region of Västra Götaland, which urgently needs fossil-free electricity,” says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

The Marbäck wind farm will consist of eight wind turbines with an estimated annual production of approximately 200 GWh of renewable electricity — enough to meet the annual household electricity needs of around 40,000 homes.

In September 2024, the Ulricehamn municipal council approved the environmental assessment of the project. Now, the Environmental Permit Delegation at the County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland (EPD) has granted Eolus an environmental permit to build the wind farm.

“Considering that a large majority of planned wind farms have been halted due to municipal vetoes in the past years, it is very positive that Ulricehamn Municipality approved the Marbäck wind farm and that EPD has now granted permission for its construction,” says Per Witalisson.

The permit decision is based on the environmental impact assessment and other documentation submitted by Eolus and other stakeholders. The authorities have concluded that the project complies with the provisions of the Swedish Environmental Code.

“The fact that the County Administrative Board, like us, recognizes the great potential for renewable electricity production in this project demonstrates Eolus’ experience and competence in developing successful projects. Project Managers Anna Gunnarsson and Jakob Economou have done an excellent job with the application,” says Helena Tillborg, Country Manager Sweden at Eolus.

Västra Götaland has a significant need for fossil-free electricity to enable the ongoing transition in the industrial and transport sectors. This transition is necessary both to reduce climate impact and to ensure that businesses remain competitive globally. According to Statistics Sweden (SCB), approximately 50 percent of the energy used in Västra Götaland today comes from fossil sources, mainly gas and oil. Changing this requires, among other things, electrification of businesses and processes. At the same time, around 70 percent of Västra Götaland’s electricity consumption already depends on imports from other regions.

The Marbäck wind farm will provide benefits to the local community, including community funding for local associations, compensation for nearby residents, land lease payments, and the government-promised compensation to the municipality equivalent to the property tax for wind power.

The County Administrative Board’s decision will now be formally announced, and affected parties will have the opportunity to appeal. Eolus can take the next steps to prepare for an investment decision once the ruling becomes legally binding. The wind farm is expected to be operational by 2028/2029.

For further information, please contact:
Helena Tillborg, Country Manager Sweden at Eolus, +46 70 975 96 06, helena.tillborg@eolus.com
Stefan Gustavsson, Public Affairs Manager at Eolus, +46 73 428 21 34, stefan.gustavsson@eolus.com

Eolus has submitted an application for an environmental permit for the Grindtorpet wind farm in Nybro municipality. With up to eight wind turbines, 210 million kWh can be produced annually. A much-needed addition to southern Sweden, which has a significant electricity production deficit.

“We see that the area has good conditions for wind power. It is very windy and sparsely populated. Additionally, it is located in electricity price area 4, which has a significant shortage of electricity production,” says Project Manager Carl Sterky.

The high electricity prices in southern Sweden are largely due to the lack of electricity production while consumption is high. This means that electricity needs to be transported from other parts of Sweden and other countries, which is expensive. New electricity production is much needed, along with new economic incentives for the municipality.

“The government decided last autumn that money equivalent to the property tax that wind power already pays should be returned to the municipality where the electricity is produced. Together with annual compensations to nearby residents and, for example, associations, this will amount to millions of kronor that can benefit the local community each year,” says Carl.

The area for the wind farm has been partially designated by Nybro municipality as suitable for wind power, and within the project area, there are no areas of national interest that require protection according to the Environmental Code.
“It is extremely difficult to find sites for new electricity production in southern Sweden, where the need is great and expected to grow in the coming years. Therefore, it is important to have the opportunity to investigate the most suitable sites,” Carl continues.

The application for an environmental permit for the wind farm has been submitted to the Environmental Assessment Delegation at the County Administrative Board of Kalmar County, where the environmental assessment process now begins. Nybro municipality will be asked if they want to approve an assessment of the wind farm. If Grindtorpet receives a permit, it is estimated that it can be built and put into operation by 2031.

Project Summary:

  • Name: Grindtorpet Wind Farm
  • Number of turbines: max 8
  • Project area: approx. 5.9 km²
  • Total height: max 300 m
  • Estimated annual electricity production: 210 GWh
  • Planned operational start: 2031

Today, the Government Inquiry into offshore wind power has submitted its final report, Wind Power at Sea – A Transition to an Auction System. Eolus welcomes the investigation’s proposal to continue processing permit applications under the current system until an auction system potentially comes into effect.

“Hundreds of millions have been invested in studies and applications for offshore wind power projects in recent years. It is important that these investments are not lost, and we expect the government to now accelerate the processing of the projects currently on their desk,” says Emil Nordström, Head of Project Development at Eolus.

The investigation also presents proposals on principles for how permits can be assessed under current legislation, including considerations of feasibility and costs.

“Costs – and thus electricity prices – has received far too little attention in the debate. It’s easy to talk about building offshore wind power far out at sea without discussing costs and feasibility. We therefore view positively the investigation’s openness to factoring in such aspects, even under current legislation.

“To illustrate: we have the Najaderna project off Gävle/Tierp, which is relatively close to shore and involves comparatively few conflicting interests. This increases the likelihood of realizing the project, as connection cable costs are kept lower, the water is shallower, and coexistence is possible.

“Another example is Västvind, where Eolus has a close collaboration with Göteborg Energi to connect the wind farm directly to Gothenburg’s local grid, right onto Hisingen, where electricity-intensive industries like Volvo Cars operate. Since grid connection is often a challenge, this provides both time and cost advantages.

“By incorporating these aspects into the permitting process, the likelihood of projects actually being realized increases.”

Based on a study by Sweco, the investigation concludes that there are currently no market conditions conducive to building offshore wind power in Sweden.

“We also see that, given current cost levels and electricity price forecasts, there may be challenges in achieving profitability, but market conditions change. Therefore, we urge the government not to wait but to speed up and grant permits wherever possible, so investors can be ready to act when conditions align. Furthermore, the government should embrace the investigation’s proposal for state support for projects approved during the transition period. This is a crucial component and would enable offshore wind power to be realized even before an auction system is in place,” Emil Nordström concludes.

For more information, please contact:
Emil Nordström, Head of Development at Eolus, +46 70 692 42 28, emil.nordstrom@eolus.com
Karin Wittsell Heydl, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at Eolus, +46 76 116 71 99, karin.heydl@eolus.com

Kumbro Vind AB is acquiring a 20% stake in wind power project Hagåsen in Degerfors municipality, Sweden. This is the essence of a recently signed partnership agreement between Eolus and Kumbro Vind, who will now develop the project together.

“The need for more electricity production in Örebro County, as well as in the surrounding counties, is enormous in the coming years to replace fossil fuels in industry and the transport sector. Therefore, we are very pleased to have this opportunity to jointly develop a wind farm with significant potential for increased electricity production,” says Peter Lilja, CEO of Kumbro.

“A local partner like Kumbro is essential for maximizing the benefits of the project. Wind power will increasingly need to be integrated and combined with other measures in the energy system. Kumbro has excellent insight into the regional energy system and is therefore a perfect match. We have collaborated before and have great confidence in each other’s expertise and roles,” says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

The Hagåsen project consists of 11 planned wind turbines, with an annual electricity production of 310 GWh, which corresponds to almost one-fifth of the total electricity production in Örebro County in 2022. According to Statistics Sweden (SCB), around 40% of the electricity consumed in Örebro County is locally generated. The other counties in the region face similar shortages, and as the use of fossil fuels in sectors like industry and transport is gradually replaced by electrification, electricity demand will continue to rise.

The planned wind farm is located in a region with heavy industry undergoing transformation, like Björneborg Steel.

“At Björneborg Steel, we are dedicated to climate transition and have made significant progress on our journey towards fossil-free operations. It is a big advantage if electricity production is located close to our manufacturing, which is why we welcome new wind power projects in this area,” says Håkan Dedorsson, CEO of Björneborg Steel.

Kumbro already has ownership in wind power projects that benefit Kumla and Örebro through reduced electricity costs for the municipalities.

“Our existing portfolio will need to be replaced in a few years, and it feels great to be involved in developing something from the ground up that we truly believe in. The project also fits well with other investments in district heating, hydrogen, and the electrification of nearby industries,” says Peter Lilja.

It is a lengthy process involving investigations, consultations, and environmental assessments before the project can receive approval. In addition, it takes time to plan everything from roads and connections to turbine procurement. The company will offer revenue sharing to local residents and compensation to the surrounding community. The government announced in its budget proposal that it will introduce regulations on these matters and allocate resources to the municipality equivalent to the property tax that wind farm owners pay to the state.

“Hagåsen is a great project with the two most important parameters fulfilled, namely good wind conditions and proximity to the electricity grid. This is a project we are eager to realize together with Kumbro. Now, a comprehensive effort is underway with the extensive environmental review process and dialogue with various stakeholders such as the municipality, industry, authorities, local residents, and landowners. Our ambition is for it to be beneficial for everyone involved and for all questions to be answered,” concludes Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

For more information, please contact:
Per Witalisson, VD Eolus, 0702 65 16 15, per.witalisson@eolus.com
Peter Lilja, VD Kumbro, 019 673 22 61, peter.lilja@kumbro.se

About Kumbro
Kumbro is a corporate group, 80% owned by Örebro Municipality and 20% by Kumla Municipality. The parent company, Kumbro Utveckling AB, along with its subsidiaries Kumbro Vind AB and Kumbro Stadsnät AB, is currently involved in projects within wind power, technical infrastructure for fiber networks, and biogas production. Kumbro Vind currently owns 16 wind turbines and intends to be a long-term owner of the Hagåsen wind farm.

For more information, visit www.kumbro.se

ABOUT EOLUS
Eolus is a leading developer of innovative and customized renewable energy solutions. We offer attractive and sustainable investments in the Nordics, the Baltics, Poland and the USA. From development of green field projects to construction and operation of renewable energy assets, we are part of the entire value chain. For over three decades we have worked for a future where everyone can lead a fulfilling, yet sustainable life. Today, our project portfolio includes more than 28 GW wind, solar and energy storage projects. Eolus – shaping the future of renewable energy.

Eolus’s Class B share is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
www.eolus.com

Today, the Swedish government announced the rejection of 13 applications for offshore wind power projects with reference to defense interests. For Eolus, the Arkona and Skidbladner projects are affected, both of which are rejected. The applications concerning the Västvind and Najaderna projects are still being processed by the Government Office.

– Today’s announcement is surprising and very unfortunate for both climate change and Sweden’s development and competitiveness. Offshore wind power has the potential to contribute large amounts of electricity that Swedish companies need for their transition. This means that we run the risk of Sweden losing out on industrial investments and thus job opportunities, says Per Witalisson, CEO of Eolus.

– We see that other NATO countries are developing offshore wind power and are convinced that it would have been possible to realize some of the projects that have now been rejected through cooperation between the Swedish Armed Forces and wind power operators. We see, for example, that permits conditional on collaboration with the defense, for example via security-classified consultants, in combination with compensatory measures in the wind farms is a possible path.

– For Eolus, we will continue to focus on, among other projects, Västvind outside Gothenburg and Najaderna outside Gävle/Tierp, where the government has communicated that it will invest extra resources in increasing the pace of the processing of permit applications.

At the end of the second quarter, Eolus had 11,000 MW of offshore wind power in its portfolio. Of this, Arkona accounted for 1,200 MW and Skidbladner for 1,000 MW. Västvind and Najaderna comprise 1,000 MW each. Eolus’s project portfolio includes a total of 28,400 MW of wind power, solar power and battery storage.

More information about our projects is available on our website www.eolus.com

With the children’s book Alfie’s Adventure – The Windy Day, Eolus aims to spark curiosity and inspire discussions about wind and solar power.

It was at the beginning of 2023 that Mathilda Gylling and Eva Emmelin, Communication Specialists at Eolus, first thought of a picture book as part of their efforts to spread knowledge about renewable energy.

“When I started working at Eolus, I noticed that the average age at our consultation meetings was quite high. We realised that it might be difficult for parents of young children to attend these meetings, so we came up with the idea of a children’s corner, so that the whole family could come together. And what better fits in a children’s corner than a children’s book,” says Eva Emmelin.

The goal was to create an exciting story, an adventure that would entice reading.
“It’s not a fact book about wind power but a fairy tale where the forces of nature play important roles. A story for children is told as much through images as through words, so it was important for us to hire a professional illustrator,” says Mathilda Gylling.

Viktoria Åström, an illustrator and animator, was commissioned to bring the brave dog Alfie to life.

For the Future

At the end of the book, there is an educational section where Alex, the book’s other main character, explains in simple terms how renewable power work.
“We want to spark curiosity and educate about energy – how you can generate the electricity needed to cook your food, charge your mobile, and drive your electric car,” says Eva Emmelin.

With Alfie’s Adventure – The Windy Day, Eolus aims to contribute to a balanced discussion about energy.
“The energy transition is crucial to addressing the climate crisis, and what Eolus does, we do for the future, for the children. Unfortunately, in Sweden, we see that the level of conflict is quite high when it comes to renewable energy, and wind power is often painted as something bad and dangerous. With the help of Alfie and Alex, we want to show that renewable energy has a natural place in people’s surroundings,” says Eolus’s Head of Communications and Sustainability, Karin Wittsell Heydl.

The book is in swedish, but might be translated into english and other languages further on.

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