The County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland wants to see that Preemraff's plant in Lysekil is climate neutral until 2040. It is one of the views that has now been submitted to the Land and Environmental Court that will prepare the case at the beginning of next year.

- We want to see that it is a binding commitment for them to get a permit. Then there will be an increase in Västra Götaland during the period up to 2030, but if you look at the whole perspective until 2040, there will be a reduction in emissions compared to today, says Monique Wannding, Head of Unit, Environment and Climate Cooperation.

Smaller plant than the plan

In the original application for development, which was approved by the Land and Environment Court in November 2018, Preem wrote that the new plant would mean emissions of 3.4 million tonnes per year - a doubling against today's 1.7 million tonnes. The decision was appealed by the Nature Conservation Association and private individuals, which led to the Land and Environment Court choosing to raise the case. The government will then cast its decisive vote.

Prior to the negotiations, Preem has revised the plan. In October this year, they announced that the expansion would be smaller. Carbon dioxide emissions would then reach 2.7 million tonnes per year.

Accepts increase initially

In an appendix to the revised application, Preem indicated the measures to be taken to reduce emissions and reach climate neutrality at the refinery until 2040, but none of this is currently binding. This is where the county administrative board wants to see a tightening.

Monique Wannding believes that there are big gains to be gained if Preem, through the new permit, can steer towards fossil-free production.

- We can accept a certain increase initially but by 2040 we do not want to see a deterioration, she says.