Resilient energy supply within NATO
NATO has identified resilient energy supply as a priority area for strengthening resilience. Energy supply is essential for society to function, both in peacetime and during an attack.
The Swedish Energy Agency works in several ways to ensure resilient energy supply – covering electricity, district heating and cooling, energy gases as well as fuels.
Resilient energy supply – crucial for both military and civil defence
Membership in NATO means that Sweden must not only safeguard its own sovereignty but also contribute to the alliance’s collective defence. To strengthen resilience, NATO has identified seven baseline requirements for national resilience, including resilient energy supplies, to ensure essential societal functions and civil support for military operations.
NATO’s Article 3 on resilience and civil preparedness (nato.int)
What NATO membership means for actors in the energy sector
The development of Sweden’s total defence aligns with NATO’s agreed guidelines for civil preparedness. For actors in the Swedish energy supply sector, NATO membership means continued efforts to safeguard essential societal functions. Private and public actors strengthen civil resilience both individually and jointly by, for example:
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preparing contingency plans
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taking part in exercises
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cooperating to strengthen supply preparedness.
The Swedish Energy Agency’s work within NATO
NATO’s work on civil preparedness and resilience is organised through a committee structure, with the Resilience Committee as the senior NATO advisory body. The committee has subordinate planning groups and the Swedish Energy Agency represents Sweden in the Energy Planning Group.
The work in the planning group is based on the Swedish government’s framework instruction for agencies’ work within NATO. Our participation ensures that Swedish expertise and perspectives are reflected in the alliance’s work. The Swedish Energy Agency nominates candidates who, based on their specialist knowledge, provide NATO with advice and support.
The Swedish Energy Agency also supports the Swedish Armed Forces’ work within NATO.
Sector responsibility
The Swedish Energy Agency holds sectoral responsibilities for civil preparedness within the energy sector. Our task is to strengthen coordination between authorities, ensure the most important societal functions and enhance societal resilience.
