Sweden’s government has approved two offshore wind farms and one major onshore wind project while rejecting 11 other offshore proposals, according to an opinion article published by three cabinet ministers in the Expressen newspaper on Thursday.
The approved offshore projects, Fyrskeppet in the southern Bothnian Sea and Vidar in northern Skagerrak, are expected to generate up to 19 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, strengthening Sweden’s renewable energy supply and supporting its long-term climate goals.
The government also authorised a large onshore wind farm in Markbygden near Piteå, adding further capacity to the country’s clean energy expansion plans.
Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari, Energy Minister Ebba Busch and Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson said the approvals reflect Sweden’s commitment to increasing electricity production while balancing national security priorities.
At the same time, authorities rejected 11 proposed offshore wind farms in the Gulf of Bothnia, the Bothnian Sea and Västhavet off Sweden’s west coast, citing unacceptable risks to the country’s defence capabilities.
The ministers said military considerations played a decisive role in the decision, underscoring the government’s intention to ensure that renewable energy development does not compromise national security.
In a broader policy shift, Sweden will replace its existing “open door” system for offshore wind applications with a competitive auction model.
Under the new framework, the state will first identify suitable offshore areas before inviting developers to bid for construction rights, aiming to improve planning efficiency and reduce project conflicts.
The revised permitting process is expected to provide greater certainty for investors while ensuring that future offshore wind developments are aligned with environmental, energy and defence objectives.
The announcements mark a significant adjustment to Sweden’s renewable energy strategy as the government seeks to accelerate electricity generation while introducing stricter oversight of offshore wind development.