Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO027: Proximal impact of wind turbines on residential areas and populations in Sweden
Ahmet Mandev, Postdoctoral researcher, Chalmers University of Technology
Abstract
As Sweden rapidly expands its wind power capacity to meet fossil-free energy goals, understanding the local impacts of this transition becomes increasingly important. This study provides the first high-resolution, nationwide analysis of the proximal impact of high-capacity wind turbines (≥1.5 MW) on residential areas and populations in Sweden. Using satellite and turbine location data, we estimate the proportion of residential areas and populations located up to 10 total-heights (470 m to 2,500 m) from turbines, in the period 2000-2024, both nationally and across six regions. Our findings reveal that, in Sweden, the impacted population within 10 total-heights of at least one turbine had the largest increase between 2008 to 2014, increasing seven-fold from 5,000 to 35,000. In the decade following 2014, the impacted population reached 45,000 in 2024, meaning that 1 in every 200 persons is impacted by a nearby high-capacity turbine. The share of residential areas within 10 total-heights follows a similar pattern and make up over 1% of all residential areas within Sweden. Regional disparities are evident, with western and southern Sweden experiencing the highest impact both in residential areas and population. Such uneven distribution of local impacts raises important questions about social acceptance and environmental justice, particularly in communities where wind development is most concentrated. These results provide critical insights for public discourse and policy, particularly regarding proposed compensation schemes for households near turbines. Proximity to turbines can affect housing prices due to shadow flicker, noise, and changes in landscape views—factors that directly influence residents’ quality of life and property values. By quantifying the spatial extent of wind power’s local impacts, this study contributes to a more informed planning and equitable policy design in Sweden’s energy transition.
No recording available for this poster.
