Sweden: Vattenfall permitted to build wind farm in Örnsköldsvik Municipality

The Land and Environment Court of Appeal of the Svea Court of Appeal has ruled that Swedish state-owned energy group Vattenfall is permitted to construct and operate a wind farm at the area Stormyrberget in Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Sweden. This means that Vattenfall can install up to 36 wind turbines with a maximum height of 220 metres on the site. The Vilhelmina södra Sami village has argued that a wind farm would make it significantly more difficult to run reindeer husbandry. The Court acknowledged that the wind farm will reduce the possibilities of using Stormyrberget for reindeer husbandry but made the assessment that Stormyrberget has so far only been used to a lesser extent for grazing and moving reindeer. The Court decided that the permission comes with the conditions that Vattenfall must pay for a collection yard for reindeer if the need arises and stop the wind turbines for a maximum of three days and twice per winter season so that a relocation of reindeer can be carried out. Vattenfall states on its website that an investment decision is expected in 2025.