Electricity in Sweden in 2024
In 2024, Sweden is notably a leader in sustaining a low-carbon electricity system, achieving an impressive rate of around 98.65% of its electricity generation from clean sources. Almost 38% of this electricity derives from hydropower, which utilizes the country's abundant water resources effectively. Meanwhile, nuclear energy contributes nearly 30%, playing a crucial and substantial role in providing reliable electricity without carbon emissions. Wind energy has also become a formidable source, accounting for almost a quarter of the total electricity mix, reflecting the country's commitment to harnessing wind as a clean energy source. Additional contributions come from biofuels and solar, adding a combined total of about 8%. In contrast, the dependency on fossil fuels is minimal, at just over 1%, showcasing Sweden's robust capacity to transition away from carbon-heavy sources. Additionally, Sweden's position as a significant net exporter of electricity assists neighboring countries in reducing their emissions. The nation's future efforts are now directed toward electrifying other sectors, such as transportation, heating, and industry, which will necessitate substantially more electricity.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation further, Sweden can consider expanding its nuclear and wind power capacities, as these sources already provide a significant portion of the country's clean electricity. Expanding nuclear facilities would ensure a stable and constant supply of low-carbon electricity, vital for a country aiming to electrify more sectors of its economy. Likewise, increasing wind energy capacity could capitalize on Sweden's proven expertise in this area and its ample geography conducive to wind power. Although solar currently represents a modest share, gradual investments could enhance its contribution. Such enhancements would not only support domestic electricity needs but also reinforce Sweden's role as a clean energy exporter, benefiting the entire region.
History
Looking at the history of low-carbon electricity in Sweden, the nuclear energy sector saw substantial growth in the early 1980s with significant increases in generation in 1981 and 1986. However, during the 1990s, nuclear generation witnessed fluctuations, with considerable declines in years like 1992 and 2000, temporarily offset by increases in other years. Such reductions in nuclear output can be concerning, as they weaken efforts to maintain a consistent low-carbon supply. In comparison, hydropower experienced notable variability throughout the decades, with sizable increases and decreases particularly evident in the 1990s and early 2000s. These changes reflect the variability typical of hydropower, often tied to annual precipitation levels. The year 2020 marked another dip in nuclear generation, stressing the need for stable and uninterrupted low-carbon sources to support the country's ambitious electrification targets. Learning from this history, Sweden's continued investment in expanding its nuclear and wind energy capacity appears to be a promising strategy for securing sustainable and reliable electricity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.