Just like the massive green investments such as Northvolt, the large wind farms—intended to save humanity and prevent the Earth from perishing in flames—did not quite achieve the success predicted by the left side of the political spectrum. When experts on Swedish Radio warn about more expensive electricity, the elephant in the room is ignored.
According to figures from Green Power Sweden, the industry association for wind, solar, and storage in Sweden, municipalities blocked 93 percent of land-based wind power projects last year—43 out of 46 projects. This is by far the largest share of wind power projects that have been stopped since Green Power Sweden began mapping out municipal decisions. For comparison, an average of 68 percent of projects were stopped through municipal vetoes from 2021 to 2024.
“In order for us to achieve our climate goals, secure jobs, and Sweden’s security, the expansion of renewable energy needs to go much faster. Therefore, the government needs to ensure clear and long-term incentives so that municipalities say yes to as much wind power as Sweden needs,” says Nils Grunditz, CEO of Green Power Sweden.
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According to Ina Müller Engelbrektson, industry lawyer and permit manager, municipalities want to build wind power but are waiting for clearer guidance on the announced incentives before approving projects. She claims the government’s prolonged processes have created uncertainty which slows down expansion and delays electrification.
For offshore wind power in territorial waters, three municipalities made decisions in 2025. Two municipalities supported and one vetoed.
More expensive electricity
The situation could make it difficult to provide new electricity production in the coming years, warns Malin Strand at Energiforsk—which conducts research and analysis in the energy field.
“The consequence is if there is less electricity, the electricity becomes expensive,” she told Swedish Radio.
At the same time, the elephant in the room is ignored—nuclear power, which the previous Social Democrat-led government shut down prematurely, resulting in soaring prices. Should the Green Party return to power, they have also promised to halt all plans for new nuclear power.