The plans to expand the West Coast refinery have drawn sharp criticism from environmental organizations. More than a hundred people, mainly residents in the immediate area, have, together with, among other things, the Nature Conservation Association appealed against the judgment of the Land and Environment Court from last year where the extension got green light.

On Friday, the Land and Environmental Court will decide whether to take up the case. If they do not, the previous verdict is fixed and Preem is given permission to expand its business. The Nature Conservation Association questions the expansion plans.

- We think it is incomprehensible to invest so much money in a business that runs contrary to the climate goals that the Riksdag has decided on, and which the climate needs, says chairwoman Johanna Sandahl.

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The Swedish Society for the Protection of Nature Conservation Johanna Sandahl about why they are against Preem's plans. Photo: Emil Larsson / SVT

Preem believes they are doing what they can to reduce their emissions.

- We at Preem take the future, climate and sustainability very seriously. And we want to reduce our climate impact going forward and we want to contribute to the goals set by the UN and the EU and Sweden, says Sustainability Manager Malin Hallin.

"We believe in technology"

The company is planning a plant with CCS technology (see fact box), which it is hoped will be able to capture and store upwards of 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. But the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation is skeptical about leaning against that technology because it is still in the experimental stage.

- We do not know how it will work on a large scale yet. This is planned to be used on the new emissions, but in order to meet the climate challenge it needs to be used on existing emissions, says Johanna Sandahl.

- We believe that technology will work and that we will learn a lot, says Malin Hallin at Preem.

Many of the Land and Environmental High Court are awaiting the decision. If Preem gets continued permission, they will continue to plan the expansion, even though no final decision has yet been made. In total, the company plans investments in Lysekil of about SEK 15 billion.