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Swedish Armed Forces Are Concerned About the Impact of Wind Farms on Defense Radar Systems

Photo: Francis Joseph Dean/www.imago-images.de/Scanpix
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Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson has voiced concerns that planned offshore wind farms along the coast could compromise the country’s maritime and air surveillance radar systems. Several other NATO countries have already advanced this public debate, crafting policies that balance both military requirements and the needs of the renewable energy sector.

According to a study by Sweden's Armed Forces, published by national broadcaster SVT, more than a dozen planned wind farms in the Baltic Sea could significantly disrupt military sensors.

The masts and rotating blades of the turbines create radar echoes and other interference, affecting, among other things, the ability to detect submarines.

Defense Minister Pål Jonson informed AFP that he is aware of the report.

"Among other impacts, the warning time for a missile attack could be reduced from two minutes to 60 seconds if an offshore wind farm obstructs detection," he mentioned in a written statement.

He also emphasized the importance of the issue, "considering the gravity of the security situation in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea."

Tensions in the region have escalated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. NATO recently opened a new naval command center in Rostock, Germany.

In 2019 the Estonian police conducted patrols at a wind farm development site in northern Estonia, whose owner was suspected of failing to comply with defense restrictions imposed on the project.
In 2019 the Estonian police conducted patrols at a wind farm development site in northern Estonia, whose owner was suspected of failing to comply with defense restrictions imposed on the project. Photo: Matti Kämärä/Põhjarannik

At the same time, energy concerns, including the need to increase renewable sources, remain high on the political agenda.

According to a government memo obtained by AFP, Sweden's electricity demand could more than double by 2045.

“The government takes the issue of offshore wind energy seriously, as it involves a conflict between two of our greatest future concerns – Sweden’s security and energy needs,” Jonson stated.

He stressed that all aspects must be considered before approving new wind farms, a decision ultimately in the hands of the government. However, he noted that there is currently no set timeline for making decisions on this matter.

The impact of wind farms on air and maritime surveillance radars has increased over recent decades due to the significant growth in the height of wind farms and the blade surface area of wind turbines.

Over the past three decades, wind farm structures have soared to impressive new heights. In 2000, wind turbines stood at roughly 50 to 100 meters; now, less than thirty years later, both onshore and offshore installations exceed 300 meters. The significantly extended blade lengths of these towering turbines amplify interference with radar systems.

Sweden is now entering a debate that unfolded in the United States over a decade ago. Since 2011, discussions in the U.S. have highlighted the disruptive effects of offshore wind farms, initially on weather radars and, subsequently, on military radar systems as well. Several mitigation methods have been developed since then.

Similar steps to mitigate the negative impact of wind farms on radar systems have been taken in the United Kingdom, where some of the off shore major wind park developments were blocked by the defense establishment. The United Kingdom has launched a technological innovation cycle to develop radars that are more resilient to wind farms.

In Estonia, a lengthy and intense debate between the Ministry of Defense and wind farm developers was ultimately resolved with the acquisition of in-fill air defense radars. This advancement allowed certain areas, previously restricted for onshore wind farm development due to defense concerns, to be opened up for development.

Estonia followed Finland’s lead, as Finland had already designated a specific region in northwestern Finland for prioritized wind farm development, while prohibiting such projects in the eastern part of the country. These restrictions have sparked tensions between developers and the military of Finland.

Swedish Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari stated at a press conference in the beginning of November, that 13 permits for the proposed offshore wind farms were lately denied due to their unacceptable impact on national security interests. All 13 wind farms were planned for the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea.

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