Vattenfall seeks permit for 2.9 GW onshore wind project in Norrbotten

European energy giant Vattenfall has approached the Swedish government to request a permit for a massive 2.9 GW onshore wind project in the Norrbotten region. The company reported that it had approached the Land and Environmental Court at Umeå District Court for its proposed 2,900 MW Storlandet wind farm in Gällivare municipality, northern Sweden. If the government grants the permit, Sweden will continue on its path to becoming a renewable energy hub for the world.

Sweden is fast becoming a global leader in the fossil-free energy sector

The world is fast approaching a future without the need for large fossil fuel projects that were necessary to meet energy demands. The alternative is to foster innovative solutions to the world’s energy needs, and it must be said that Sweden is doing more than any other country to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels in favor of the renewable energy potential.

Vattenfall is a huge European energy company that boasts several large-scale renewable energy projects that underscore the necessary transition to energy generation that does not harm the planet while maintaining economic viability for nations aiming to make the switch.

On the company’s website, it defines the position it has taken to develop the renewable energy sector, which could only benefit the planet. Greta Thunberg must be pleased.

“Vattenfall is a European energy company with approximately 21,000 employees. For more than 100 years we have electrified industries, supplied energy to people’s homes and modernised our way of living through innovation and cooperation. We are committed to building a future where everyone can choose fossil-free ways to move, make and live. To succeed we must become fossil free ourselves. But that’s not enough. We are looking beyond our own industry to see where we can really make a difference. Together with our partners, we are taking on the responsibility to find new and sustainable ways to electrify transportation and industries.”

The Swedish government is considering the application from Vattenfall

Sweden is universally renowned for its careful and considered approach to any projects that might affect the local populace. As such, one can expect the Swedish government to take its time to consider all the mitigating factors in the application from Vattenfall.

The 2.9 GW onshore wind project that Vattenfall is proposing could completely change the outlook for the wind power sector in Europe. Wind power usage is on the rise globally; however, several mitigating factors have slowed the progress in adopting the renewable energy sector.

Vattenfall stated in its application that the project could generate around 9TWh of electricity a year to help meet growing demand from the mining and steel industries. The company added that while demand for fossil-free power is not rising as quickly as expected, it wants to be prepared to deliver new capacity as industrial electrification accelerates.

“Storlandet can contribute to fossil-free electricity production in line with demand from, among others, the mining and steel industries,” – Vattenfall

The EU has reported that growth in the wind sector is facing significant bottleneck issues, which have resulted in a slow adoption process for the renewable energy sector across the world.

Sweden is promoting the transition to the renewable energy sector, despite the slow progress

The application from Vattenfall represents a new and considered approach to the energy sector in Sweden. Other nations in Europe have seen several sites being auctioned off to allow for an accelerated level of growth in the wind power sector. As the world approaches the future without fossil fuels, huge projects like the one that Vattenfall has planned in Sweden will play a crucial role in delivering energy to several sectors, including but not limited to heating for households and the steel manufacturing industry.