On Tuesday, H2 Green Steel announced the construction of a steel plant for fossil-free production in northern Svartbyn in Boden municipality.
This involves an investment of SEK 25 billion, 1,500 direct jobs and an annual production of 5.5 million tonnes by 2030, more than twice as much as Kaunis Iron.
"Not entirely positive"
On Tuesday, local councilor Claes Nordmark (S) did not know of any joy for the future, but in northern Svartbyn, with 550 inhabitants, it was not just gold and green forests today.
- We in the interest group probably only look positively at the plans.
I think this is good, but I also hope that the disturbances in the village's core areas will not be so great.
- I know that there are villagers who are not entirely positive, who are worried about what this may mean for the village's future and one of my neighbors thinks that there may be many appeals of the project, says Sven Andersson, vice chairman of northern Svartbyn's interest association representing 130 members.
"Sounded like a new steelworks-80"
He found out about the news at the same time as the media got it on Tuesday morning.
- It is clear that you became interested, it's about many jobs, but it sounded like a new steelworks-80 or something else.
What do you think?
- Yes, it seems that it is well-known financiers who are behind the investment and I hope it locks in, but it remains to be seen, says Sven Andersson.