Energy company Vattenfall has applied to revoke 25 hectares of the Biskopshagen nature reserve on the Värö peninsula in Varberg, Sweden, to build new nuclear reactors, according to reports from SVT Halland. The application has drawn significant criticism, with 42 statements submitted during a three-month public consultation period, most of which are reportedly critical of the plan.
Daniel Bengtsson of Greenpeace called the proposal "madness" in his statement, expressing strong opposition to revoking a nature reserve. In response, Henrik Lidberg, deputy project manager for new nuclear power at Vattenfall, defended the location choice, stating that according to their investigation, it is "the best place to build new nuclear power."
I think it's madness that they want to revoke a nature reserve.
The County Administrative Board in Halland must now assess whether Vattenfall has sufficiently strong justification, known as 'special reasons,' and can offer compensation for lost natural values. A decision is expected before summer, according to the reports. Henrik Martinsson, nature conservation director at the County Administrative Board, noted that their decision will likely be "guiding" for similar cases.
Nature reserves are rarely revoked in Sweden, and this would be the first such case in Halland. Historically, when nature reserves have been revoked in Sweden, it has been for infrastructure projects like railways or roads. The decision process allows for appeals, potentially escalating to the Environmental Assessment Unit at the Government Offices and ultimately to the Supreme Administrative Court.
According to our location investigation, it is the best place to build new nuclear power.
I believe our decision will be guiding.