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Wind farm plans scrapped in Skultuna after political opposition

Key Points
  • Rabbalshede Kraft has abandoned plans for a wind farm in Kranshällarna without a formal application.
  • The company cited political opposition during consultations as the reason for withdrawing.
  • Local protests and party statements, with more against than for, influenced the decision.

A planned wind farm in Kranshällarna between Skultuna and Surahammar, Sweden, will not be built. The company behind the plans, Rabbalshede Kraft, has ended work on the project without submitting a formal application. The company's building and development chief, Tobias Nylander, stated that they faced political majority opposition during the consultation phase, preventing them from presenting a project area they believed in.

The company had expressed interest in building 28 wind turbines and solar power installations, but Nylander described it as a "maximal theoretical area" likely to shrink significantly after consultation. Local residents protested the plans, and political parties made statements, with more against than for the project. Moderaterna and Sverigedemokraterna demanded the municipality use its veto right to reject the establishment early, while Socialdemokraterna wanted to see the finished proposal first.

they faced political majority opposition during the consultation phase, preventing them from presenting a project area they believed in

Tobias Nylander, building and development chief at Rabbalshede Kraft

Staffan Jansson (S), a municipal councilor, said it would have been more serious to give a formal response to a completed application, but now it is not relevant. Nylander added that the cost and resources for a permit application did not feel worth it without political support in Västerås municipality.

it would have been more serious to give a formal response to a completed application, but now it is not relevant

Staffan Jansson, municipal councilor (Socialdemokraterna)

the cost and resources for a permit application did not feel worth it without political support in Västerås municipality

Tobias Nylander, building and development chief at Rabbalshede Kraft

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