How can the industry get enough electricity by 2045?

Sweden’s energy system needs major changes if industry and transport are to electrify and the climate targets are to be met, but the outlook is clouded by geopolitics, international competition, uncertain industrial investment, future electricity prices and the development of Europe’s energy markets. The expected electrification wave hasn’t taken off yet and several large projects have been delayed, though industry still expects its electricity demand to double by 2035, and data centres could push demand up quickly. The report explores different paths for the electricity system, covering demand, production, system costs, prices, power balance, market design and the value of interconnections, with robustness and flexibility as a running theme. Its main message is that no simple choice or single technology will solve the challenge: Sweden needs long-term stable rules, efficient permitting and a system that can handle several possible futures, with energy, industrial and security policy better integrated. Energiforsk hopes the report will guide decisions on investment, planning and policy so that Swedish industry has enough electricity through 2035 and 2045.