National map base for sustainable wind energy development

On behalf of the Swedish Energy Agency, Metria has conducted a nationwide geographical analysis showing where there are good conditions for establishing wind turbines. The results of the analysis are used as a basis in the national strategy for sustainable wind power development.

Strategy for sustainable wind power development

Steady population growth, electrification of the transport sector and electricity-intensive industry mean that the need for electricity is expected to increase in the coming years. Sweden has high climate ambitions and a target of 100% renewable electricity production by 2040. The Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency have therefore jointly initiated a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable expansion of wind power in Sweden.

National map basis for sustainable expansion

In order to get an overview of where there are good conditions for establishing wind turbines, the Swedish Energy Agency has commissioned Metria to produce a national map. The assignment resulted in a national GIS analysis that provides a picture of the geographical distribution of areas that have relatively good conditions for wind power and at the same time little risk of conflict with other interests.

The results of the analysis are used as a basis in the strategy for allocating the national expansion requirement to the regions. The map data will also be an important support for the county administrative boards in the continued work on regional planning data and, by extension, the municipal planning of wind power.

Best wind locations

The electricity a wind turbine can produce depends on how much energy the wind contains and at what speed the energy can be extracted. To find the best possible wind locations, the New European Wind Atlas (NEWA) wind data has been used in the analysis.

It is difficult to set a minimum threshold for wind conditions for feasible projects as it depends very much on local conditions. Worse wind conditions are accepted if several other factors are favorable, therefore three different wind conditions have been analyzed at 150 and 200 meters height.

Development with respect to valuable nature

Wind power development needs to take into account valuable nature, human habitat and a range of other societal interests. Therefore, over 50 different data layers are used to describe land use interests:

• Infrastructure - housing, mixed-use developments, industrial buildings, other types of facilities, roads, railways, airports

• Natural, cultural and recreational interests - areas that have some form of statutory protection, such as national parks, nature reserves, plant or animal sanctuaries and special areas identified in knowledge bases, such as swamp forests, key biotopes and wetlands.
  
  

Three classes show different conditions

The result of the GIS analysis shows the areas that meet the criteria
and three different wind speeds at 150 and 200 meters. The areas have been divided into three classes:

• Class 1: Areas where there are possibilities for coexistence, no known conflicts from a national perspective.

• Class 2: Areas where there is some potential for coexistence, but these need to be further investigated in the regional analyses.

• Class 3: Includes areas with no or little potential for coexistence.

The maps below show the distribution of class 1, class 2 and class 3 areas in the country at 150 meters altitude and average wind power of 400 W/m2.