Empowering Wind Power Development Through Tiering : Investigating the Role of Regional Governance in Värmland

Abstract: In the light of the on-going climate emergency and energy crisis, wind power has been described as a rapid pathway towards increasing the share of renewable energy as well as electricity production. However, time consuming and complex permitting processes has been a central obstacle for the transition to take place. Municipalities have a strong influence over land use planning in Sweden and despite the urgent need to increase renewable energy production, few wind power projects are permitted.  Previous research has underlined capacity building between local and regional levels as a pathway to strengthen local institutions and stimulate wind power developments. Following Arts et al. definition of ‘tiering’ as the deliberate, organized transfer of information and issues from one level of planning to another, collaboration between different tiers is described as fundamental for successful projects. By analysing data from interviews, documents, and observations, this study has investigated what role collaboration between tiers plays in the Regional Wind Power Analysis in Värmland, and how the project could lead to more effective planning processes for wind power. The results indicate that the Regional Wind Power Analysis can strengthen the planning process for wind power by raising awareness and stimulating knowledge building between important stakeholders, which consequently can make it easier to understand how and potentially where to engage in wind power planning. In line with previous research, the study also illustrates the potential governing role the County Administration Board can play for coordinating projects and building institutional capacity for inter-municipal and inter-regional issues, including wind power. Even though the project has been appreciated, if financial incentives remain scarce, there will not be enough reason to engage in wind power planning locally.