Sweden already gets almost 99% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—an outstanding achievement. Over the last 12 months, from October 2025 to September 2026, hydropower supplied about 40% of electricity, nuclear 25%, and wind 24%. Biofuels contributed around 7% and solar nearly 3%, while fossil sources accounted for only about 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 clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Sweden?

Sweden’s latest figures remain well below its historical per-person electricity records, a concerning gap as electrification creates new demand. Electricity consumption in 2026 was about 15,400 kWh per person, compared with the 2001 record of roughly 18,200 kWh—around 2,700 kWh, or 15%, lower. Low-carbon electricity generation stood at about 15,200 kWh per person, approximately 2,200 kWh, or 13%, below its 2001 peak of almost 17,500 kWh. These comparisons do not establish the latest year-to-year trend, but they show that Sweden has yet to regain its historical per-person highs.

Suggestions

Sweden can increase clean electricity generation by expanding nuclear and wind, two low-carbon technologies that already supply nearly half its electricity together. Increasing output at existing nuclear sites and building additional reactors would strengthen its clean electricity supply, while further wind development would build on an established source of substantial generation. Expanding solar would add another avenue for growth. Alongside stronger grids and greater flexibility in electricity use, these investments could support electrification at home while maintaining Sweden’s valuable contribution to cleaner electricity across neighboring regions.

History

Sweden’s history shows major gains in nuclear generation alongside substantial year-to-year fluctuations in hydropower. Nuclear output increased by about 11 TWh in both 1981 and 1986. In the 1990s, it fell by 13 TWh in 1992 but recovered nearly 12 TWh in 1994; hydropower rose by 11 TWh in 1992, fell by roughly 16 TWh in both 1994 and 1996, then rebounded by 17 TWh in 1997. Around the turn of the century, nuclear generation dropped by 16 TWh in 2000 before recovering 15 TWh in 2001. Hydropower then declined by about 13 TWh in each of 2002 and 2003, recovered 13 TWh in 2005, and fell 11 TWh in 2006. Nuclear output suffered another disappointing decline of nearly 12 TWh in 2009. During the 2010s, hydropower rose by roughly 13 TWh in 2012 and 12 TWh in 2015, but fell by 18 TWh in 2013 and 13 TWh in 2016. The nuclear decline of over 19 TWh in 2020 was an especially concerning setback for clean electricity supply, underscoring the importance of sustaining and expanding Sweden’s low-carbon generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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