Community Engagement
A basic requirement for the development of a wind or solar project is to engage in meaningful dialogue and involve the people who live and work in the local area. Open and transparent communication at an early stage is important for creating trust between Eolus and local stakeholders, while also strengthening local support for the project. Our aim is to be the preferred player for renewable energy development in local communities by 2030. To achieve that goal, we will continue to focus on developing our methods and approaches for dialogue and communication. We are convinced that all business is local and that each project has its own, unique conditions.
Local dialogue and engagement
Eolus has long experience of local dialogue and a strong focus on involving and respecting the people who live and work close to our projects. We have a responsibility to listen, understand and cooperate around the varying – and sometimes contradictory – interests of local stakeholders in order to contribute solutions that benefit the community. All projects have different conditions and because each project has a communication plan adapted to the particular needs of that project, we ensure transparent communication and prioritize dialogue throughout all phases of the project.
Careful consideration must also be given to the rights of indigenous peoples, such as the Sami. Read more about this under Human Rights.
Financial contributions to local communities
In our wind power projects, we integrate various forms of support for nearby residents and communities, such as compensation for nearby residents, land lease payments to landowners and funding for local associations and projects.
In several of Eolus’s markets, some aspects of this are regulated in law. Where this is not the case, Eolus offers financial support on a voluntary basis.
Eolus also applies wind funds – a form of development funding to benefit the local community – for several Swedish wind projects. Wind funds are normally paid throughout the construction and operating period of the facility. Eolus administers this as part of its asset management service for the owner and more than 1 millions SEK is distrubuted annually to initiatives and organizations in areas such as tourism, infrastructure, leisure activities, and nature and cultural environments. See examples below.
Local jobs
Eolus’s ambition is to use local companies as far as possible for the construction and operation of projects. Business opportunities also arise for local businesses in the form of construction work and other services, such as accommodation, restaurant and catering services, and logging.
Where Eolus has asset management assignments, local suppliers often perform tasks such a clearing brush, mow ing ditch edges and removing snow.
More than 25 local suppliers were engaged in the construction of the wind farms in Fågelås, Boarp and Dållebo, which were completed in 2025. The services provided included excavation, road construction, technical consulting services, crane and scaffolding work, earthmoving and concrete work. Food accommodation and restaurant businesses also benefited. Several local suppliers were also hired for the Pienava project in Latvia, where construction commenced in 2025. Nearby service providers, such as gas stations, also saw a significant increase in sales thanks to the construction work.
The outdoor association in Nora has built a boule court with wind funds from Eolus
Active Outdoor Life with Funding from Wind Power
The glassy surface of the Holmsjön Lake, about 45 km from Sundsvall, reflects the steel gray sky. Some of the turbines from the Kråktorpet wind farm can be seen on the mountains surrounding the lake. Thanks to this, several associations in the area have received funding for an active outdoor life.
Keith Sahlin, a member of Holms Fiskevårdsområde’s Board, has just pointed out his cabin on one of the slopes. We are standing on the other side of the lake, and he proudly shows the pier that was built at the end of last summer. A wheelchair-accessible pier will soon be built here. The investment was enabled by the annual wind funds from the wind farm.
“This is a popular area for tourists from both Sweden and abroad who are interested in fishing. So the fishing spots need to be in top shape. The wind funds make that possible,” says Keith Sahlin.
“This is a popular area for tourists from both Sweden and abroad who are interested in fishing. So the fishing spots need to be in top shape. The wind funds make that possible,” says Keith Sahlin.
Thirty minutes away by car, midway between the Norasjön and Västansjö lakes, there is a sign with the words “Uteliv i Nora” (Outdoor life in Nora).
“People come here from the surrounding towns to train at the outdoor gym, play miniature golf or play a round of discgolf in the forest,” says Elisabeth Kempe. She and her partner Olle Modén are two of the enthusiasts behind the recreation area.
Further down from the outdoor gym – with equipment made from recycled materials – there are hammocks next to a small bookcase. The latest addition to the installation is a long-awaited pétanque court, financed by wind funds from the Nylandsbergen wind farm.
Föreningen Uteliv (Outdoor life in Nora Association) has about 140 members, who appreciate the fact that they can do things locally.
“We don’t want to drive into town every weekend so the kids can get out. Outdoor life in Nora is the perfect solution,” says Elin Fällström, who moved to the area with her family a few years ago. She is a member of Outdoor life in Nora’s Board, and Chair of the local culture society.
Together with other members of the Board, she tells how they applied for, and received, wind funds for a new door and deck for the Nora-Västansjö local culture center. At the inauguration in summer 2023, the center was packed. Visitors had to take turns at sitting on the robust wooden benches.
“It was fantastic! And it will be so good in winter when we open the scooter café,” says Per Hallgren, who’s been involved from the very beginning.
“Municipalities tend to invest most in urban associations with a lot of members. And preferably for young people. If we want something to happen here, we have to do it ourselves,” she says.
“Being able to receive compensation for having the wind farm close by is really good. We all need electricity, and it’s helping to develop the local community,” says her Board member colleague, Katarina Modén.
"It’s not easy for small rural associations to get funding"
says Elin Fällström