Sweden becomes net exporter of electricity
This is revealed from the Energy Agency's Long-term Forecast for 2008, which deals with energy use up to 2020 and 2030.
• Production from cogeneration, wind and nuclear power will increase
• The economic downturn will reduce the use of energy in the short term
• EU’s target for share of renewable energy within reach
weden can export 25 TWh of electricity by the year 2030. This is due to an increase in the production of electricity and a moderate increase in the use of electricity. It is primarily electricity from cogeneration and wind power which will account for the increase. This is revealed by the Energy Agency's Long-term Forecast for 2008, which deals with energy use up to 2020 and 2030. In 2030, electricity production is estimated to amount to 175 TWh compared to today's 145 TWh. Hydroelectric power produces 68 TWh, nuclear power 72 TWh, cogeneration in industry 8 TWh, cogeneration in the district heating system 19 TWh and wind power 7 TWh. The use of electricity is estimated at becoming 150 TWh.
At the same time, the financial crisis will affect the use of energy in the short term. In the authorities' short-term forecast, domestic energy use is estimated to remain more or less unchanged between 2007 and 2010. Above all, it is the use of energy in industry which is estimated to be lower than the recent short-term forecast from August 2008. “Electricity exports from Sweden provides revenues and can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions in other parts of the EU,” says director general Tomas Kåberger.
"Export means that you pay more in other countries than here, and that Swedish industry does not become less competitive. So it looks good for both Swedish industry and the European climate policy,” concludes Kåberger.
The forecast also indicates that Sweden - with today's current means of control and taxes - almost achieves the EU target for Sweden of 49% renewable energy by the year 2020.
The difficulties in producing short-term forecasts when economic conditions change dramatically need hardly be pointed out.
Further information:
Official administrator: Daniel Andersson, +46 16-544 23 22
Official administrator: Jonas Paulsson, +46 16-544 23 33
Unit manager Paul Westin, +46 16-544 20 58
Unit manager Caroline Hellberg, +46 16-544 20 28
