The County Administrative Board of Gotland has recommended government approval for the proposed 5.5-gigawatt Aurora offshore wind farm, a joint venture between OX2 and Ingka Investments, under Sweden's Act on the Exclusive Economic Zone, OX2 announced on Friday.
If greenlit by the government, the initial phase of the project could deliver 6 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually to southern Sweden by 2030, with full completion estimated by 2035, generating up to 24 TWh annually. The wind farm is planned approximately 22 kilometers (about 14 miles) south of Gotland in the Baltic Sea.
Emelie Zakrisson, head of offshore wind development in Sweden at OX2, emphasized the potential of Aurora to accelerate the region's transition to green energy, mentioning its role in facilitating large-scale hydrogen and e-fuel production. “We are working in parallel to secure the connections to the electricity grid as well as signing supplier agreements to be able to start construction as soon as all permits are in place,” Zakrisson stated.
Despite the endorsement by the County Administrative Board, opposition has emerged from the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish National Heritage Board. The local agency stated it lacks access to the military's decision and defers to the government on reconciling military interests with renewable energy initiatives. Furthermore, the agency underscores the necessity of expanding energy production capacities to meet growing electricity demands, potentially prioritizing energy interests over cultural heritage concerns.
In April, the County Administrative Board granted a Natura 2000 permit to Aurora, a decision currently under appeal by various stakeholders, prolonging the regulatory process.
OX2 addressed concerns by proposing that sensors on the wind turbines could aid military surveillance in the area. Additionally, the developer expressed interest in exploring ways to enhance biodiversity by utilizing the wind park's fixed structures as artificial reefs for sessile species.
This collaboration between OX2 and Ingka Investments reflects a broader partnership, with the two entities jointly developing offshore wind projects in Sweden and Finland.
