The wind farm Galene off the coast of Halland, at the height of Varberg, can be granted a Natura 2000 permit. This is announced by the Land and Environment Court in Vänersborg in a verdict on Monday.
The company Galatea-Galene Wind Farm AB has applied for a Natura 2000 permit to establish an offshore wind farm off the coast of Halland. The park is intended to comprise a maximum of 21 wind turbines with a total height of up to 340 meters above sea level.
The County Administrative Board in Halland County granted the company a permit subject to special conditions to limit the environmental impact of the operation. However, both the company and several environmental organizations appealed the decision. The company wanted several of the conditions to be changed, while the environmental organizations wanted the permit to be completely revoked.
Now the Land and Environment Court has ruled that the company can be granted a Natura 2000 permit. However, the court does not fully meet the company's demands. Among other things, the court has concluded that the geographical area for the wind farm must be reduced compared to the company's application.
The verdict can be appealed to the Land and Environment Court of Appeal.
Natura 2000 is a network of valuable natural areas with species or natural types within the EU that are considered particularly worthy of protection. In Sweden, there are approximately 4,000 Natura 2000 areas.
To conduct an activity that may significantly affect the environment in a Natura 2000 area, a special permit is required. As a general rule, permits are only granted if the activity does not harm the habitat intended to be protected or cause a disturbance that significantly impairs the conservation of the species or species in the area.
In certain cases, permits may be granted despite causing harm, but then approval from the government is required.
