Sweden’s electricity supply is already almost 99% low-carbon—a remarkable achievement. Over the 12 months from November 2025 through October 2026, hydropower supplied about 40% of electricity, while wind and nuclear each contributed roughly a quarter. Biofuels provided around 7% and solar nearly 3%, leaving fossil fuels at just 1%. Sweden is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions reduce emissions by supplying clean electricity that can displace fossil-fueled generation. The next challenge is to electrify transport, heating and industry, which will require substantially more electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Sweden?

The latest figures do not show growth relative to Sweden’s historical per-person records. Electricity consumption in 2026 was about 15,400 kWh per person, compared with the 2001 record of roughly 18,200 kWh—around 2,800 kWh, or 15%, lower. Low-carbon electricity generation was approximately 15,200 kWh per person, about 2,300 kWh below its 2001 peak of nearly 17,500 kWh. These gaps are concerning given the growing electricity needs of electrification and AI. However, comparing the latest figures with historical peaks does not establish whether electricity consumption or generation increased or decreased in the most recent year.

Suggestions

Sweden can build on its strong clean electricity foundation by expanding nuclear and wind, both of which already supply substantial amounts of electricity. Increasing output from existing nuclear facilities where feasible, extending their productive operation and building additional reactors would strengthen its low-carbon supply. Further wind development, alongside an expansion of solar electricity, would add more clean generation. Faster grid development, stronger connections between regions and greater flexibility in electricity consumption would help this additional supply reach households and businesses. The goal should be to maintain Sweden’s exceptionally clean electricity mix while increasing the electricity available for industry, transport, heating and emerging demand.

History

Sweden’s low-carbon electricity history includes major periods of expansion. Nuclear generation increased by about 11 TWh in both 1981 and 1986, followed by gains of nearly 12 TWh in 1994 and 15 TWh in 2001, demonstrating its capacity to deliver substantial additions to clean electricity. Hydropower showed considerable year-to-year variation: increases of around 11 TWh in 1992 and 17 TWh in 1997 contrasted with decreases of about 16 TWh in both 1994 and 1996. In the 2000s, hydropower fell by roughly 13 TWh in each of 2002 and 2003, recovered by nearly 13 TWh in 2005 and declined by 11 TWh in 2006. The following decade brought gains of about 13 TWh in 2012 and 12 TWh in 2015, alongside decreases of roughly 18 TWh in 2013 and 13 TWh in 2016. This history reinforces the importance of sustained investment in a diverse, expanding low-carbon electricity supply.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Nov 2025 – Oct 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.