Målkonflikter i kommuner och kommunalt ägda bolag : En fallstudie kring vattenkraften i Tranås kommun

Sammanfattning

Hydropower is a renewable energy source, but it comes with environmental trade-offs. In particular, dams and turbines can hinder biodiversity in riverine ecosystems. This study explores the trade-offs between climate goals and biodiversity conservation within the swedish energy sector, focusing on how these tensions can be addressed from a planner’s perspective. By examining the case of Tranås Energi AB - recognized for its environmentally conscious hydropower practices - this study investigates why biodiversity is difficult to preserve in swedish hydropower. The research methodology includes interviews and a document analysis of the Nationell plan för omprövning av vattenkraft (NAP), to map how such trade-offs are represented and managed in practice. A systems theory framework is applied to analyze three dimensions: Potential Conflicting Goals, Approaches to Conflicting Goals, and Future Strategies for Managing Conflicting Goals. The findings indicate that trade-offs are common across the hydropower sector, but that Tranås Energi has successfully mitigated them through systematic dialogue, collaboration, and proactive planning. This study also reveals that while the NAP is a widely debated policy, its actual influence on future environmental outcomes is limited. A key insight is that economic considerations significantly shape the possibilities for environmentally adaptive hydropower.