Sweden revises its offshore wind strategy to unblock certain projects

Sweden, despite its considerable offshore wind energy potential, is struggling to structure the development of its projects. The lack of financial support and strategic planning is slowing down the implementation of installations.

Share:

Sweden is at a decisive crossroads in the development of offshore wind power. Although the country has considerable offshore energy potential, the current licensing framework is ill-suited to the specificities of the sector.
Unlike countries such as Denmark and Germany, Sweden has yet to establish a structured, transparent system for offshore wind development.
Today, tens of gigawatts of projects are on hold, held back by poorly coordinated planning processes and late decisions by the relevant authorities.
Sweden currently uses an “open door” system, allowing companies to submit their own proposals for the development of offshore sites.
However, this model creates competition for often identical sea areas, leading to long delays and conflicts of interest between developers.
To date, only 2 GW have been licensed out of a total of over 100 GW of proposals submitted.

Rethinking the planning model

Faced with these stumbling blocks, the Swedish government has commissioned a team of advisors led by Magnus Hermansson, a judge at the Land and Environmental Court, to propose a new planning model.
This model could be inspired by systems used in other European countries, where governments designate specific areas for offshore development and award permits via competitive auction processes.
Developers such as OX2 are concerned about the impact of a change of system on projects already underway.
They point out that they have already invested considerable resources in advancing these initiatives within the existing regulatory framework.
A transition to a new planning model could result in significant economic losses for these players, requiring measures to preserve current projects.

Persistent financial challenges

In addition to planning issues, the main obstacle to offshore wind development in Sweden is the lack of financial support mechanisms.
Unlike other European markets such as the UK, where Contracts for Difference (CfDs) stabilize developers’ revenues, Sweden does not yet offer a comparable financial framework.
What’s more, grid connection costs, often borne by the state in other countries, are still borne by developers in Sweden.
This situation has recently led to the suspension of major projects.
Vattenfall, for example, has put its Kriegers Flak wind project on hold due to a lack of funding for connection infrastructure.
The question of financial incentives is therefore becoming central to the debate on the future of Swedish offshore wind power.
Without clear government support, it is difficult for companies to ensure the profitability of these projects in an environment where investment costs are high.

A competing strategy: nuclear power

At the same time, the Swedish government seems to be favoring a nuclear revival.
In August, the authorities unveiled a plan to finance the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors by 2045.
This project is based on a mechanism of contracts for difference and state-guaranteed loans, ensuring a minimum return on investment for the private players involved.
This approach contrasts sharply with the absence of similar support for offshore wind power.
Sweden plans to double its electricity consumption by 2045 in response to the increase in industrial projects aimed at decarbonization.
However, whether offshore wind or nuclear power will be the main source of energy for this expansion remains an open question.
Although nuclear power offers a credible alternative, it faces major financial and technical obstacles.
New reactors in Europe frequently face cost overruns and delays, making delivery uncertain.

Towards energy complementarity

Against this backdrop, players in the offshore wind industry are advocating a complementary mix of energy sources.
According to Emelie Zakrisson, Offshore Wind Director at OX2, Sweden cannot afford to neglect offshore wind at a time when the country is seeking to decarbonize its industry.
Wind power could play a key role in the energy transition, not least thanks to shorter commissioning times than new nuclear power plants.
However, the debate over the distribution of public subsidies between nuclear and wind power remains open.
With the recent introduction of financial support for onshore wind power projects, a similar extension for offshore wind power could reinvigorate the sector.
For the time being, no concrete decisions have been taken on such measures.
Sweden must now choose between maintaining a path towards nuclear power or diversifying its investments into renewable energies such as offshore wind.
The challenge is to strike a balance between long-term energy security and short-term return on investment.

Ecopetrol S.A. finalises the acquisition of Wind Autogeneración from Enel S.A.S., thereby taking over the Windpeshi wind project in Colombia, with a planned capacity of 205 MW, aimed at the Colombian oil group's energy self-consumption.
Oceanic Wind Energy Inc. and Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd. secured an exclusive investigative use permit in the Hecate Strait, paving the way for Canada's first major offshore wind project, targeting capacity of up to 700 MW.
German manufacturer Nordex will supply 13 N163/6.X wind turbines to developer SAB WindTeam for a 91 MW wind farm in Brandenburg, with commissioning scheduled for early 2027 and an extended 20-year service agreement.
EDF is delaying the start-up of the Calvados offshore wind farm by more than two years, citing extended adjustments to a drilling tool vital for installing the sixty-four monopile foundations off Courseulles-sur-Mer.
German company NeXtWind signs historic €1.4 billion debt financing to accelerate expansion and modernisation of its onshore wind farms and reach a total capacity of 3 GW by 2028.
Energy company TGS has won a major high-resolution geophysical imaging contract for offshore wind site characterization in Norway, strengthening its position in this rapidly growing market.
Iberdrola Australia secures crucial approval from Australian authorities to begin metocean studies for its 3GW Aurora Green offshore project off the coast of Victoria, marking a decisive stage in its development.
ENGIE begins full operation of the Red Sea Wind Energy wind farm in Egypt, increasing its capacity to 650 MW, four months ahead of schedule, now powering over one million homes in the region.
Tokyo Gas, through TOWII Renewables, a joint venture with EWII, purchases two onshore wind projects developed by Finnish company Puhuri, totalling 74.4 MW, marking its expansion beyond the Danish market.
The European Investment Bank grants EWE AG historic €450mn financing for the installation of 2,600 km of underground power lines and the upgrade of over 1,100 substations in Lower Saxony.
Japan’s Ministry of Industry and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy launch a strategic partnership to develop local offshore wind supply chains and strengthen the country's industrial competitiveness in this energy sector.
Energiekontor AG confirms financial close for the Nartum wind farm, adding 23 megawatts to its owned portfolio and starting the construction phase in the Rotenburg district, Lower Saxony.
Airloom Energy begins construction of a pilot site in Wyoming to test an innovative turbine aimed at enhancing American energy security in the face of anticipated growth in electricity demand.
ACCIONA Energía transfers the San Juan de Marcona wind farm to Luz del Sur S.A.A., a major player in Peru's energy sector, for up to USD 253 million, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
German operator Encavis AG strengthens its portfolio by acquiring two wind farms in Lower Saxony and Saxony, totalling 59 MW, in a transaction with Energiequelle GmbH, thereby expanding its renewable energy assets.
Ocergy officially launches an industrial project aiming to install by 2028 a new-generation floating wind turbine of over 15 MW, in partnership with EnBW, Kyuden Mirai, and TEPCO Renewable Power.
France officially commissions its first floating wind farm, consisting of three turbines with a combined capacity of 25 megawatts, introducing strategic technology in the Mediterranean, vital for national energy goals.
Inaugurated on 20 June, the five-turbine plant of wpd onshore France feeds 18 MW into the grid and unlocks new tax revenue for four Côtes-d’Armor municipalities.
Statkraft refocuses investments on flexible Nordic hydropower and reduces commitments in offshore wind and hydrogen to lower operating costs, amid an uncertain economic environment and pressured profitability.
Suzlon Group receives third consecutive order from AMPIN Energy Transition to supply 170.1 MW of wind turbines for a project in India's Andhra Pradesh state, strengthening their strategic industrial partnership.