Wind power policy and planning - a comparative study of Sweden and the Netherlands

Abstract: As the world try to combat the impacts of climate change governments have taken action by implementing a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources. To facilitate this transition to more sustainable energy sources new policies and planning practises are required. This study has focused on how two countries, Sweden and the Netherlands, work with implementing wind power by exploring what policies they have concerning wind power development, how the planning process work in practise and what challenges they face regarding policies and the planning process. The result of this study has shown that the Netherlands has made large efforts in providing policies and are working towards establishing a new regional body responsible for the transition towards renewable energy sources. Sweden on the other hand, has not made the same commitment to policies and is mostly focused on improving the planning process.