Falkenberg faces a crucial road choice

There are moments when a municipality stops and has to ask itself: What future are we building and for whom? For me, Falkenberg is a place where courage, curiosity and responsibility have long gone hand in hand.

We have dared to make decisions that have moved us forward and made us the attractive, vibrant and enterprising municipality we are today. But right now, the political majority is faced with adopting a new wind farm plan, a plan that effectively amounts to a prolonged halt to new wind farm expansion. It is a choice that will mark the municipality for decades, and which, in my opinion, risks slowing down the development that Falkenberg has stood for so long.

We are in the midst of a new energy and security policy reality

Sweden is undergoing a historic electrification. Industries are reshaping, transportation is becoming electric, and companies are competing globally for access to fossil-free energy. Locally, we notice how the demand for reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity only continues to rise. Today, however, the energy issue is not just about climate and competitiveness. In an increasingly unsettled world where energy prices fluctuate rapidly and the security situation in our region is changing, energy supply becomes part of both our local security and Sweden's defence capabilities. Stable, locally produced electricity makes us less vulnerable and strengthens our ability to withstand external stresses. In this particular situation, Falkenberg's political majority chooses to adopt a wind farm plan that limits the possibilities of expanding the type of energy production that both national strategies and the municipality's own energy documents point out as necessary. It's hard to fathom.

We are in danger of losing an important lead

Falkenberg has a heritage that many other municipalities lack:

• established wind power infrastructure
• high local acceptance
• long experience of cooperation between landowners, companies and energy companies
• an identity in which modern energy production has been an obvious part

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This has taken time to build up and it is a head start we should not take for granted. A prolonged stoppage creates uncertainty for both landowners and investors, while businesses are now choosing places of establishment to a greater extent than in the past based on access to electricity. Today, electricity supply weighs as heavily as location, manpower and logistics. When locally produced electricity is lacking, businesses choose other regions.

The local benefit is tangible — and long-term
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The financial contribution of wind power to the municipality is real and growing. Today, around SEK 3 million is returned annually to Falkenberg from existing wind turbines through revenues equivalent to the property tax. In ten years, it will be around SEK 30 million, stable and long-term income that can strengthen welfare: schools, care, culture and investments that create quality of life. With the new national incentives for renewable energy, the local benefit increases even further.
Therefore, when municipalities say no to wind energy, they also say no to resources that could otherwise contribute to a more robust, secure and sustainable economy.

The hospitality industry and wind power are a false contradiction

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The debate often raises concerns that wind energy and the hospitality industry are in conflict with each other. But experiences from other municipalities show something completely different. Tourists are looking for places that take responsibility and dare to lead the transition. A clear sustainability profile is not an obstacle, it is an asset. Falkenberg has all the conditions to continue to be an attractive tourist destination while developing our energy production.

Now we have to show leadership.

Instead of locking ourselves into a restrictive wind farm plan, Falkenberg needs an energy policy that:

• plans for both energy efficiency and new renewable production
• Strengthens the business sector's prospects for growth
• take advantage of the tax revenues and government incentives available
• strengthens the municipality's security of supply and contributes to Sweden's resilience
• continue to develop Falkenberg's role in the national energy transition
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Falkenberg combines a strong hospitality industry, a high quality of life and modern energy production. It only requires that we continue to dare to be the brave commune we have always been. As Falkenbergers and business leaders, I therefore hope that we choose a path that strengthens our security, our competitiveness and our future.

Sincerely
Jeanette Lindeblad
CEO Renewable Sweden

You are always welcome to contact me or our knowledgeable team at Renewable Sweden.
The easiest way to reach me is via:
Phone: + 46 (0) 70 605 44 41
E-mail: jeanette.l@renewablesweden.com

Our senior consultants have been working on renewable energy development for many years, most of whom have dedicated their entire working lives to just that. Now that we all need the transition most, we are the ones who can help make your projects and ideas about renewable energy a reality

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