2025-01-02
Last updated: 2025-03-07 09:56
Prioritizing renewable energy sources, which can be rapidly expanded, creates the conditions for a robust and sustainable energy system.
- We need to act quickly, strategically and together. It's about jobs and industrial development, but also about increasing the share of locally produced energy," says Fredrik Dahlström Dolff, Regional Developer at Region Västra Götaland.
A knowledge base is being developed to support municipalities in both local and regional planning. The work focuses on identifying suitable areas for solar and wind power. The selection method is transparent and used in the same way in all areas. Some of the areas are given so-called soft stops where adjustments can still enable development. The data is integrated into the municipalities' community planning and at the same time contributes to an overall strategy for the whole of Västra Götaland
- Municipalities and municipal associations have joined in, and many have accepted the offer of help in producing planning documents. In fact, a majority of the region's municipalities are now covered by the project," says Maria Aronsson, project manager at West Sweden Energy Agency , part of Innovatum Science Park.
The identified potential is conservatively calculated and is based on the assumption that one third of the identified areas can be developed. This creates room for local adaptations in the municipality's urban planning and takes into account the challenges that permit processes entail. At the same time, the results provide a clear picture of the region's large capacity for local electricity generation. Economic factors, such as proximity to electricity grids and substations, have also been taken into account to prioritize areas with high feasibility.
- We are laying the foundations for an energy system that not only meets the demands of today but also the needs of tomorrow," says Maria Aronsson.
The results will support municipalities in developing wind and solar farm plans and can form the basis for inter-municipal cooperation. Through consensus on land use and dialogue across municipal boundaries, the region's resources can be used more efficiently.
- By working together, we can create solutions that strengthen the whole of Västra Götaland and make the transition faster and more efficient," concludes Fredrik Dahlström Dolff.
The work is taking place within the framework of the Municipalities' Electrification Journey, a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating the energy transition by 2030 and is part of the Västra Götaland Region's electrification drive. The project is mainly financed by Region Västra Götaland, while participating municipalities and municipal associations cover 50% of the costs for their specific planning documents. The project will continue until 2025, which will enable additional municipalities to participate.
With this investment, Västra Götaland is taking another step towards a sustainable and electrified society that both meets the energy needs of the future and strengthens the region's competitiveness.
