Wind power is being expanded significantly and it is in the northern counties that most is being built.
In Västerbotten, the number has grown by almost four times in ten years and continues to expand.
Should all plants for which permission has been applied for be built, 541 new spinners are expected in the county.
That is more than a doubling of today's number.
If the construction plans become a reality, we can have over 1,000 wind turbines in Västerbotten.
Elsewhere in the country, there are hardly any applications at all.
Southern municipalities say no
- The municipalities use their veto and then there will not even be an environmental assessment.
And it is more common in southern Sweden.
And the wind power companies may know this and therefore they do not even apply.
They have learned which municipalities are more positive, says Kristina Östman.
Recently, a government inquiry proposed changes to the municipal veto possibilities regarding wind power.
- We welcome it.
But it is not a question of removing the municipal veto, but of when the veto can be used.
And make it stronger linked to ground plans.
Can be more difficult with a veto
The idea is that the conflict between the municipalities' veto and the wind power companies will be reduced with a new set of rules, which the inquiry has looked at.
But the veto does not disappear with the new rules.
However, a possible no must come earlier in the process and it must be justified, which is not needed today.