The County Administrative Board of Skåne has changed its position on offshore wind development at Sjollen in Öresund, giving its support to energy production in an area it had previously opposed.

The authority said the change reflects the growing importance of electricity supply in Skåne. It now supports all offshore wind areas proposed by the Swedish Energy Agency as national interest claims, including Sjollen.

According to the board, the need to strengthen regional power supply has increased, leading to a new assessment that gives greater weight to energy than before.

Earlier studies found that a wind farm at Sjollen could generate up to 1.3TWh of electricity per year. That output would correspond to the combined electricity demand of 10 smaller municipalities in Skåne.

County Governor Peter Danielsson said the stronger need for electricity supply in Skåne had led to the revised position. He added that Sjollen remains an important natural area in Öresund, and that this will be one of several interests examined during any permit review.

The project’s future is still uncertain. The company that had been studying offshore wind development at Sjollen has paused its plans because of current market conditions.

Rima Dauod, Head of Department at the County Administrative Board of Skåne, said Sjollen is expected to have favorable grid connection prospects. She also noted that the Swedish Armed Forces had previously taken a positive view of offshore wind development in the area.

Dauod said the authority sees strong potential for Sjollen to help meet regional energy policy goals.

The Swedish Energy Agency has proposed Sjollen and other areas in Skåne as national interest claims for offshore wind power, as Sweden plans for an electricity demand of at least 300TWh by 2045.