Sweden’s electricity is already almost entirely low-carbon: clean sources supplied about 99% of electricity consumed from September 2025 through August 2026. Hydropower accounted for roughly 41%, nuclear for a quarter, and wind for another quarter, while biofuels contributed about 6% and solar about 2%. Fossil sources supplied only around 1%. Sweden is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. Its next challenge is to electrify transport, heating, and industry, which will require much more electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Sweden?

The latest figures do not show Sweden surpassing its historical electricity consumption or clean generation records. In 2026, electricity consumption stood at about 15,300 kWh per person, roughly 2,800 kWh—or 16%—below the 2001 record of about 18,200 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation reached about 15,100 kWh per person, around 2,350 kWh—or 13%—below its 2001 peak. These comparisons cannot establish the latest year-on-year trend, but the shortfall from earlier records is concerning when electrification and growing AI demand call for more clean electricity.

Suggestions

Sweden can build on its strengths by expanding nuclear and wind electricity generation, both of which already supply substantial amounts of clean electricity. Increasing output from existing nuclear facilities and building additional nuclear capacity would support a larger low-carbon electricity supply. Further wind development, alongside expanded solar generation, would add to that growth. Investment in electricity networks, storage, and flexible demand would help deliver this additional generation to households and businesses while supporting electrification and clean electricity exports.

History

Sweden’s low-carbon electricity history combines major nuclear gains with substantial fluctuations in hydropower. Nuclear generation rose by about 11 TWh in both 1981 and 1986. During the 1990s, nuclear output fell by 13 TWh in 1992 but recovered by nearly 12 TWh in 1994; hydropower increased by 11 TWh in 1992, declined by around 16 TWh in both 1994 and 1996, and rebounded by 17 TWh in 1997. In the 2000s, nuclear generation dropped by 16 TWh in 2000 before recovering by 15 TWh in 2001, then fell by nearly 12 TWh in 2009. Hydropower declined by about 13 TWh in each of 2002 and 2003, rose by 13 TWh in 2005, and fell by 11 TWh in 2006. Further hydro swings followed in the 2010s: gains of roughly 13 TWh in 2012 and 12 TWh in 2015 alternated with declines of 18 TWh in 2013 and 13 TWh in 2016. Nuclear generation’s 19 TWh fall in 2020 was a particularly disappointing loss of clean electricity output, underscoring the importance of preserving and expanding Sweden’s nuclear contribution.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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