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Energy in Sweden

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Historical energy consumption in Sweden by source. Renewables and nuclear is given as the electricity produced.

Wind turbines in Sweden

Energy in Sweden is characterized by relatively high per capita production and consumption, and a reliance on imports for fossil fuel supplies.

With 98% of electricity generation coming from renewables and nuclear in 2023, the electric grid is nearing zero emissions.[1] Sweden is also a major net exporter of electricity, exporting over 20% of national electricity generation to the rest of Europe in 2023.[2]

A high carbon tax on heating fuels has contributed to a noticeable uptake in biomass and electricity usage in the heating/cooling sector, with Eurostat reporting Sweden had the highest share of renewable energy for heating and cooling in the EU, at 69% (2022).[3][4]

By contrast, the transport sector (especially plane fuel and automobiles) remain majority-powered by fossil fuels, a challenge for the government's 2045 target of carbon neutrality.[5][6] Nevertheless, sustainability measures have reduced total emissions in Sweden, even as the population has increased; at 3.6 tonnes per person, Sweden's 2022 per capita Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are 45% lower than 1990 levels and below the world average.[7]

Eurostat data (2022) shows 66% of Sweden's total final energy consumption comes from renewables, broken down as 83.3% in electricity consumption, 69.4% in heating and cooling, and 29.2% in transport.[8]

Statistics

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2020 energy statistics[9]
Production capacities for electricity
(billion kWh)
Type Amount
Hydro 170.33
Nuclear 112.41
Wind power 65.54
Biomass 26.29
Fossil fuel 3.81
Solar 2.67
Total 336.04
     
Electricity
(billion kWh)
Category Amount
Consumption 124.61
Production 160.04
Import 11.83
Export 36.82
     
Natural Gas
(billion m3)
Consumption 1.28
Production 1.31
     
Crude Oil
(barrels per day)
Consumption 78,800,000
Production 107,970,000
Import 3,870,000
Export 147,170,000

CO2 emissions:
33.58 million tons

Energy in Sweden[10]
Year Population
(million) 		Primary energy supply[a]
(TWh) 		Energy production
(TWh) 		Net energy imports
(TWh) 		Electricity consumption[b]
(TWh) 		CO2-emissions[c]
(Mt)
2004 8.99 627 408 236 138.7 52.2
2007 9.15 586 391 221 139.4 46.2
2008 9.26 577 387 229 137.1 45.9
2009 9.30 528 353 207 131.5 41.7
2010 9.38 596 390 229 140.1 47.6
2012 9.45 570 378 219 132.6 44.9
2012R[d] 9.52 583 421 179 136.0 40.4
2013 9.60 573 408 193 133.2 37.5
2015 9.80 529 395 170 133.2 37.1
2017 10.1 572 419 165 136.7 37.6
Change 2004-17 12.3% -8.8% 2.7% -30.1% -1.4% -28%
Energy figures converted from Mtoe using conversion factor 1 Mtoe = 11.63 TWh.
  1. ^ Primary energy supply is national production + net imports + supply for international aviation and shipping + stock changes.[11] It includes energy losses, such as 2/3 for nuclear power.[12]
  2. ^ Gross production + imports – exports – losses.
  3. ^ Exclude emissions from non-energy.
  4. ^ CO2 calculation criteria changed, numbers updated.

Energy plan

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Sweden's energy plan is to have 65% of energy produced by renewables by 2030 and 100% by 2040.[13]

Energy sources

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Renewable energy

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Years in which the last three renewable power levels achieved
Achievement Year Achievement Year Achievement Year
45% 2009 50% 2015 55% 2020 [9]

Renewable energy includes wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy sources.

Within the context of the European Union's 2009 Renewables Directive, Sweden was working towards reaching a 49% share of renewable energy in gross final consumption of energy - electricity, heating/cooling, and transportation - by 2020.[14] Eurostat reported that Sweden had already exceeded the Directive's 2020 target in 2014[15] reaching 52.6% of total final energy consumption provided by renewables, up from 38.7% in 2004.[16] This makes Sweden the leading country within the EU-28 group in terms of renewable energy use by share, followed by Finland and Latvia at 38.7%, Austria at 33.1% and Denmark on 29.2%.[16] The two other signatories of the directive, Iceland and Norway, remain ahead of Sweden at 77.1% and 69.2% respectively.[16]

The 2014 52.6% overall share of final energy consumption in Sweden breaks down as renewable energy providing the following shares to each sector: 68.1% of the heating and cooling sector, 63.3% of the electricity sector and 19.2% of the transport sector.[17]

The share of renewable electricity use is high in Sweden. Hydro, wind, and solar power together accounted for 49.8% of the electricity produced in the country in 2014. When measured against national electricity consumption, the share rises to 55.5%.[18] Since 2003, Sweden has supported renewable energy in the electricity sector with a "green electricity certificate" obligation for retail power suppliers.[19][20] As of 2015 the plan of the certificate system was to support 25 TWh of new renewable electricity generation by 2020.[21]

In June 2016, the Swedish center-left minority coalition government reached a cross-party energy deal with three opposition parties (the Moderate Party, Centre Party (Sweden), and Christian Democrats (Sweden)), with the agreement targeting 100% renewable electricity production by 2040.[22][23]

In 2013 renewable energy investment was more than US$1 billion in Sweden.[24]

Wind power

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Main article: Wind power in Sweden
Historical electricity production by source

Wind power accounted for 10% of the electricity generated in Sweden in 2015, up from 5% in 2012 and 2.4% in 2010.[25][26][27][28]

Sweden has wind power potential of 510 TWh/a at land and 46 TWh/a at sea.[29] Consumption was 140 TWh of power in 2010.

In 2013 Sweden was second top country for wind power capacity per inhabitant in the world: 488 W per person, only surpassed by Denmark (863 W per person).[30] In correlation one must note that Swedish use of energy per inhabitant is much higher than average in Europe.

Solar power

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Solar PV capacity in Sweden reached 3.9 GW in 2023, up from 0.14 GW in 2016.[31][32]

Solar power accounted for roughly 1% of the nation's total electricity consumption in 2022.[33]

As of 2023, Sweden's largest solar park is an 18MW facility in Skurup built by solar developer Alight AB, which produces energy for Martin & Servera.[34]

Wave power

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Sweden has a wave power station outside Lysekil run by Uppsala University. The wave energy research group at Uppsala University study and develop all different aspects of wave energy, ranging from power systems and generators, to hydrodynamical modelling, and environmental impact of wave energy parks.[35]

Hydroelectric power

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Main article: Hydroelectric power in Sweden
See also: List of hydroelectric power stations in Sweden

Hydroelectric power accounts for more than half of Sweden's electricity production. More than 1900 hydroelectric power stations operate across the country. Forty-five produce 100 MW and over, 17 produce 200 MW and over, and 5 produce 400 MW and over. The largest station, the Harsprånget hydroelectric power station, is located on the upper Lule River and has a maximum production capacity of 977 MW. The Lule River is also the most productive river, with almost 18% of the Swedish installed capacity. Almost all of the medium to large plants are located in northern Sweden.

Fossil fuels

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Coal ceased to be used for electricity production in 2020.[36]

Most of Sweden, including Stockholm have no piped natural gas.[37]

Biofuels

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Further information: Biofuel in Sweden

Sweden aims for a fossil fuel free vehicle fleet by 2030.[38]

Sweden published the sustainability criteria for biofuels (2011) which consider the areas with high biological values to be protected in respect to fuels production. The feedstock origin used for production of bioliquids in Sweden during 2011 was Sweden 49% The Netherlands 17% United States 17% Finland 6% Belgium 3% and other 8% (Brazil, Malaysia and Russia). Palm oil is often pointed out as a dirty feed-stock for biofuels. None of the Swedish companies used palm oil in 2011. The largest share of feedstock for bioliquids comes from the forest industry in the form of tall oil pitch, tall oil and methanol.[39]

In 2013 the bus fleets in more than a dozen cities relied entirely on biomethane, local plants produced more than 60% of the total biomethane used in Swedish natural gas vehicles, and more filling stations were opened in 2012 and 2013. Göteborg Energi (Gothenburg Energy) has a 20 MW facility that gasifies forest residues and then converts the synthesis gases—hydrogen and carbon monoxide—into biomethane.[40]

Thermal and nuclear

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Nuclear is dominating in this sector. The other operational plant is, in almost all cases, fueled with renewable fuels. Oil plants are few, and are either decommissioned or used as a reserve,

Nuclear power

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Main article: Nuclear power in Sweden

More than 35% of the Swedish electricity is produced by 6 nuclear reactors, spread out on three power stations:

Before 2005, there were 12 reactors, but two BWR reactors (~1,2 GW) at the Barsebäck nuclear power plant were decommissioned in 1999 and 2005, two BWR reactors at the Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant were decommissioned in 2015 and 2017 (~1,1 GW), one PWR reactor was decommissioned at the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant in 2019. (~1,8 GW).[41] On 31 December 2020 the R1 reactor was permanently shut down.[42]

Decommissioning and waste storage
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Sweden is preparing to dismantle and demolish six large nuclear power reactors on three sites in coming years.[41] It is also working on plans to provide long-term storage of high-level waste.[43]

The total cost of spent fuel storage and decommissioning is estimated at SEK147 billion (around €14 billion). About SEK53 billion (around €5 billion) has been spent to date. This excludes the costs of near-surface disposal facilities for very low-level waste at Ringhals, Oskarshamn, and Forsmark.[41]

The majority of low- and intermediate-level waste will be disposed of in a shallow geological repository for short-lived waste at Forsmark.[41] The country is also exploring the use of transmutation to reduce waste radiotoxicity, with little success.[44]

Policies to curb carbon emissions

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Main article: Climate change in Sweden
Development of carbon dioxide emissions

According to Energy Information Administration the CO2 emissions from energy consumption of Sweden were in 2009 54.77 Mt, slightly below Finland 54.86 Mt, despite the difference in population.[45] The emissions per capita were in Sweden 5.58 and in Finland 9.93 tonnes per capita in 2009.[46]

Carbon tax

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In January 1991, Sweden enacted a carbon tax of SEK 250 per 1000 kg ($40 at the time, or EUR 27 at current rates) on the use of oil, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, petrol, and aviation fuel used in domestic travel. Industrial users paid half the rate (between 1993 and 1997, 25%), and preferred industries such as commercial horticulture, mining, manufacturing, and pulp and paper were exempted entirely. As a result, the tax only covers around 40% of Sweden's carbon emissions.[47] The rate was raised to SEK 365 ($60) in 1997[48] and SEK 930 in 2007.[49]

According to a 2019 study, the tax was instrumental in substantially reducing Sweden's carbon dioxide emissions.[50] The tax is also credited by Swedish Society for Nature Conservation climate change expert Emma Lindberg and University of Lund Professor Thomas Johansson with spurring a significant move from hydrocarbon fuels to biomass. Lindberg said, "It was the one major reason that steered society towards climate-friendly solutions. It made polluting more expensive and focused people on finding energy-efficient solutions."[51][52]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Energy in Sweden.

References

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  1. ^ Our World in Data (20 June 2024). "Share of electricity generated by low-carbon sources: Sweden". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  2. ^ Jean-Paul Harreman & Clement Bouilloux, Montel Group (5 February 2024). "European power exports analysis: France returns to top spot". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  3. ^ Jordan Cheung, Earth.Org (4 March 2022). "Carbon Pricing and Carbon Tax in Sweden". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  4. ^ Eurostat (27 February 2024). "Renewable energy for heating & cooling up to 25% in 2022". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  5. ^ Carolina Yang, Stockholm Environment Institute (31 May 2023). "Accelerating Sweden's climate action in transportation". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  6. ^ International Energy Agency (2024). "Energy system of Sweden". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  7. ^ Our World in Data (20 June 2024). "Per capita CO₂ emissions: Sweden, World". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  8. ^ Eurostat (3 January 2024). "Renewable energy statistics". Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Energy consumption in Sweden". 2020.
  10. ^ IEA Key World Energy Statistics Statistics 2019 Archived 31 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine, 2017,2015 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, 2014 (2012R as in November 2015 Archived 5 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine + 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, 2013 Archived 2 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, 2012 Archived 9 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 2011 Archived 27 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 2010 Archived 11 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 2009 Archived 7 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine, 2006 Archived 12 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
  11. ^ "Balances definitions: Total primary energy supply".
  12. ^ Energy in Sweden 2010 Archived 16 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Facts and figures. The Swedish Energy Agency. Table 8 Losses in nuclear power stations Table 9 Nuclear power brutto.
  13. ^ "Summary of the Commission assessment of the draft National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030" (PDF). Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Sweden". Grantham Institute - Climate Change and Environment. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  15. ^ "EU renewables usage shows steady increase". Economist Intelligence Unit. 16 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  16. ^ a b c "Eurostat, news release, February 2016". Ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  17. ^ "European Commission, Energy, 2015 Progress Reports, Sweden". Ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  18. ^ Swedish Energy Agency (30 November 2015). "Electricity supply and use 2001–2014 (GWh)". Statistics Sweden. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  19. ^ "Energy use in Sweden". Swedish Institute. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  20. ^ "Sweden - The Electricity Certificate System". International Energy Agency. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  21. ^ "The Electricity Certificate System". Swedish Energy Agency. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  22. ^ "Support for renewables, concessions for nuclear in energy deal". SR International – Radio Sweden. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  23. ^ William Steel (16 June 2016). "ANALYSIS: Mixed picture for wind as Sweden plots all-renewable route". RECHARGE. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  24. ^ "Renewables 2014 Global Status Report, page 70" (PDF). Ren21.net.
  25. ^ Significant increase in energy from wind power Archived 19 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine The Swedish Energy Agency
  26. ^ Energiläget i siffror 2014 18: Sveriges elproduktion per kraftslag och total elanvändning 1970–2012
  27. ^ "Electricity supply and use 2001–2015 (GWh)". Statistics Sweden. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  28. ^ Atle Staalesen (23 August 2016). "Sweden is Europe's quickest growing on wind power". The Independent Barents Observer. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  29. ^ "the advanced energy [r]evolution : A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY OUTLOOK FOR SWEDEN" (PDF). Greenpeace.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  30. ^ "Renewables 2014 Global Status Report, page 56" (PDF). Ren21.net. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  31. ^ "Grid-connected solar installations, number and installed power, from 2016 -". Swedish Energy Agency. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  32. ^ "Över 250 000 installerade solcellsanläggningar i Sverige (Over 250,000 installed solar cell systems in Sweden)". Swedish Energy Agency. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  33. ^ "National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in Sweden 2022" (PDF). International Energy Agency - Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme. November 2023. p. 16/66. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Om solenergi". Svensk Solenergi. 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Wave Power - Department of Engineering Science". Archived from the original on 24 March 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Sweden adds name to growing list of coal-free states in Europe". 21 April 2020.
  37. ^ "Sweden without gas". 2 June 2015.
  38. ^ "Renewables 2014 Global Status Report, page 29" (PDF). Ren21.net. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  39. ^ "Sustainable bioliquids 2011". Webbshop.cm.se. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  40. ^ "Renewables 2014 Global Status Report, page 35+37" (PDF). Ren21.net. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  41. ^ a b c d Gillin, Kristina (27 February 2020). "Nuclear decommissioning in Sweden: A priority for the 2020s". NS Energy. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  42. ^ "Sweden's Ringhals 1 closes for last time". World Nuclear News. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  43. ^ "NGOs demand place for nuclear in EU Taxonomy : Energy & Environment - World Nuclear News". World Nuclear News. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  44. ^ "What should we do with radioactive nuclear waste?". the Guardian. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  45. ^ World carbon dioxide emissions data by country: China speeds ahead of the rest, The Guardian, 31 January 2011
  46. ^ world carbon dioxide emissions country data co2, The Guardian, 31 January 2011
  47. ^ Jonsson, Samuel; Ydstedt, Anders; Asen, Elke (23 September 2020). "Looking Back on 30 Years of Carbon Taxes in Sweden". Tax Foundation. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  48. ^ "Carbon taxes raised to tackle climate change". The Local (Sweden's news in English). 17 September 2007. Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
  49. ^ IEA (2008). "Energy Policies of IEA Countries – Sweden- 2008 Review" (PDF). International Energy Agency website. p. 150. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  50. ^ Andersson, Julius J. (1 November 2019). "Carbon Taxes and CO2 Emissions: Sweden as a Case Study". American Economic Journal: Economic Policy. 11 (4): 1–30. doi:10.1257/pol.20170144. ISSN 1945-7731.
  51. ^ Fouché, Gwladys (29 April 2008). "Sweden's carbon-tax solution to climate change puts it top of the green list". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  52. ^ Carlgren, Fredrik (7 October 2015). "GDP – Gross Domestic Product – Ekonomifakta". Ekonomifakta.se. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
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