2024-03-12
Last updated: 2025-03-07 17:15
This fact is one of the reasons why the Borås region has commissioned a review of areas in its member municipalities that may be suitable for wind and solar power production.
- "This is part of our work with the regional energy agreement, where we are now the first to identify suitable areas for solar and wind power. With the rapidly growing demand for electricity in Västra Götaland, this is an important effort to contribute to the transition," says Ulf Olsson (S), chairman of the Borås Region Sjuhärads Municipal Association.
The potential for wind and solar power production in Sjuhärad could be as high as 16 TWh/year if all identified areas are used efficiently for establishments. This is shown in a recent analysis produced by Sweco on behalf of the Borås Region Sjuhärad Municipal Association in collaboration with the member municipalities.
- The electrification journey is building momentum in several stages. From several cross-municipal areas in Sjuhärad in the southeast to similar ones in the northwest with Fyrbodal. We can scale up the benefits for welfare, jobs and climate thanks to the fact that electrification helps to reduce the use of fossil energy, says Magnus Kuschel, who is part of the process management from West Sweden Energy Agency, part of Innovatum Science Park.
Cooperation is key to planning energy supply
The analysis identifies 31 areas for wind power and 69 areas for solar power in Sjuhärad alone. Several of these areas cross municipal boundaries. The reason for the larger number of areas for solar power compared to wind power is that there are fewer factors to consider when it comes to solar power, resulting in more suitable locations for potential establishments.
- The figures presented are encouraging and should currently only be interpreted as a basis for describing the potential that exists. The analysis itself is important as a planning basis in the municipalities' community planning processes and provides a good indication of how our member municipalities can work together to secure our energy supply," says Sandra Johansson, regional developer at the Borås Region Sjuhärads Municipal Association.
Electricity demand on the rise - doubling by 2030
In the coming decades, electricity demand in Västra Götaland is expected to more than double, tripling by 2045. An important driver for electrification is to remove the current dependence on fossil energy sources. The increasing demand for electricity generation and transmission is critical to meet the ongoing transition in the industrial and transportation sectors. The development of municipalities in the energy field is crucial to bring about change. A secure and constant energy supply is of utmost importance for both existing and new businesses in the region.
- It is important to continue to embed and make further efforts in the local energy system, which plays an increasingly important role. Improving preparedness and increasing local renewable energy supply by 2030 is necessary to achieve fossil fuel independence. Together, this is part of local, sub-regional and regional development," emphasizes Magnus Kuschel.
More fossil-free electricity generation and rapid expansion of electricity needed
The analysis has been produced with the support of Region Västra Götaland's Municipal Electrification Journey initiative, which started in 2023 and runs until 2026. The process leader for the initiative is West Sweden Energy Agency, part of Innovatum Science Park. The purpose of the initiative is, among other things, to support the region's municipalities in identifying suitable areas for in-depth investigation of wind and solar power to promote local electricity production and reliable energy supply.
Read more about the electrification journey of municipalities here
