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Swedish firm plans wind farm near Norwegian border, sparking local concerns over impact on tourism and nature preservation

Wednesday 10th 2024 on 16:08 in  
Norway

Swedish company LandInfra plans to build up to 23 wind turbines on Tobaksberget on Finnskogen, near the Norwegian border. Local residents and tourism business owners in Finnskogen are concerned that the turbines will disrupt the area’s tranquility and untouched nature, potentially negatively impacting tourism.

LandInfra argues that the area has good wind conditions and that the wind farm will contribute to sustainable energy production in Värmland. However, the mayor of Kongsvinger, Elin Såheim Bjørkli, believes that wind turbines are not suitable for Finnskogen, an area being proposed for inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Construction is expected to begin in 2029, with the aim of the wind farm being operational by 2031. Norway has the opportunity to influence the project through the Espoo Convention, and Kongsvinger municipality will consider the plans once they receive a request from the Norwegian Environment Agency.

Tor Rønning, a local resident who has been renting out cabins for several years, is worried about the potential impact on tourism. “It’s madness,” he says, “Finnskogen is quiet, peaceful, and untouched nature.”

The nearest turbine is planned to be built 700 meters from the Norwegian border. LandInfra aims to build up to 23 wind turbines that can be up to 300 meters high.

“Wind turbines are a very good option to produce new electricity relatively quickly and at a competitive price,” says Mattias Hennius, communications director at LandInfra Energy AB.

However, Norwegian neighbors are outraged. Laila Lindberg, who has been renting out canoes to tourists for 25 years, worries that the area will become less attractive to tourists if wind turbines are erected.

LandInfra believes that there are several advantages to building a wind farm in this area, citing good wind conditions and the area’s suitability for wind power. The Swedish government believes that Sweden needs to almost double its electricity production by 2045.

The company hopes to have a completed impact assessment by winter 2024/2025. If built to its full capacity, the wind farm could produce enough electricity to meet the needs of 250,000-350,000 households.