Electricity in Sweden in 2023/2024

Currently, Sweden stands as a model of sustainable electricity generation with a commendable 95.88% of its electricity derived from low-carbon sources. This remarkable achievement is made possible through a balanced mix of hydropower, which contributes about 41.93%, nuclear energy producing around 30.84%, and wind energy accounting for approximately 21.99%. Solar power adds a modest 1.12%. Over the past year, from October 2023 to September 2024, Sweden not only secured a clean energy grid but also became a significant net exporter of electricity, aiding neighboring countries in reducing their carbon emissions. Despite this success, Sweden faces the impending challenge of electrifying other sectors like transport, heating, and industry, which will demand considerably more electricity.

Suggestions

To meet the growing demand for low-carbon electricity, Sweden can consider expanding its existing nuclear and wind energy capabilities. Nuclear power, already contributing a significant portion of the country's electricity, can be increased by upgrading current reactors and deploying new generation reactors. Similarly, wind energy, which is nearly a quarter of the electricity mix, can be expanded further with additional onshore and offshore wind farms. These steps, along with continued advancements in solar technology, will ensure that Sweden maintains and potentially enhances its low-carbon electricity generation capacity while meeting future energy demands sustainably.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity generation in Sweden is marked by significant advancements and some setbacks. In the early 1980s, substantial increases in nuclear capacity occurred, seen with rises of 11.2 TWh in 1981 and 11.4 TWh in 1986. However, the 1990s experienced fluctuations; 1992 saw a significant dip in nuclear power by -13.2 TWh, offset somewhat by an 11.2 TWh increase in hydropower. Hydropower fluctuations continued with major declines and surges, such as a 17.3 TWh increase in 1997. The early 2000s witnessed further variability with nuclear power experiencing a drop of -15.9 TWh in 2000 but rebounding with a 14.8 TWh increase in 2001. More recently, 2020 saw another significant decline in nuclear electricity generation by -17.4 TWh. Despite these variances, the overall trajectory has been a shift toward a stable and sustainable low-carbon electricity grid.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources