The project
 
Wind power is a clean and renewable source of energy. The use of wind power is rapidly expanding but is still in it´s beginning stage in Sweden and Finland compared to Denmark and Germany. The coastal areas and archipelago of Kvarken are potentially important areas of wind power development. Especially the Finnish side of the Gulf of Bothnia shows real potential for wind power establishment on a national scale.

Many operators are involved in the process of establishing wind power, from initiative to establishment permits, construction and operation, and it´s often a time consuming and costly process. The wind power operators on the market are of various sizes, from large foreign corporations to small local energy cooperatives. Even when all parties agree on the benefits of wind power, there are still attitude issues and unclearities when it comes to the planning process. The wind power companies has the initiative and want to speed up the process, while the local inhabitants don´t want 
wind power plants on their properties. The local authorities are in a position of mixed loyalties between the companies and the inhabitants. The environment consequence permit process takes a long time and there are lacks in factual knowledge. How can for instance small local energy cooperations make it all the way from initiative to a running operation?

­­It is a timeconsuming and costly process, and in the worst case scenario potentially profitable and environmentally friendly projects are withdrawn alltogether because of the slow and bureaucratic planning process. There are significant financial values lost, not to mention the loss of sustainable energy, local jobs and regional business development.  

The main aims of the project are 1) to give suggestions how different operators should act in order to have a well functioning permit process and gain general approval, 2) to give recommendations for the environmental consequence assessment process and to increase the knowledge of the effects of wind power and 3)to initiate a cross-regional network and arrange an end conference for a broad target group.  

The project will also encourage and seek cooperation with local study groups and learning annexes in order to increase the public´s interest and knowledge.

The project will form a basis for future wind power cooperation within the border-regional network, i.e. wind power technology, development of the electricity network, regulation etc.

The projekt is realized infour stages: 

Stage 1. Documentation and comparison between Finland and Sweden.
Stage 2. Information tour in the region, for increased public acceptance.
Stage 3. Seminars.
Stage 4. End conference and networks.

More information:

Ann Salomonson +46 (0)70-5559044, ann.salomonson(a)annova.ac.se
Christina Knookala +358 (0)50 918 6462, christina.knookala(A)kvarken.org