Energy

We are four months into the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, and good progress has been made in achieving the energy transition and enhancing long-term growth and productivity in the EU. In parallel, negotiations on EU legislation are ongoing – several agreements have been made, including with regard to the European Chips Act and the Renewable Energy Directive.

EU energy ministers will gather on 28 March under the leadership of Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch. The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (TTE) is expected to adopt a general guideline on the gas and hydrogen package. The aim is to increase the use of renewable and low-carbon gas in the EU’s energy system, while the use of natural gas decreases.

Statement from Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch.

On 27–28 February, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch and Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson will host an informal meeting of EU ministers in Stockholm. On the agenda are discussions on the future of energy and transport in the EU.

Immediate and long-term support to Ukraine was on the agenda when EU leaders met in Brussels on 15 December. They also discussed the EU’s response to the energy crisis and EU-US relations. On 14 December, the first-ever summit between the leaders of EU and ASEAN member states was held. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson represented Sweden.

Sweden is joining the Industrial Deep Decarbonisation Initiative (IDDI), whose aim is to accelerate the green industry transition.

What is needed for the EU to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? This question was the focus of a seminar at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the European Union on 4 June, attended by Swedish experts and industry representatives.

This report has been written in accordance with EU regulation 2018/1999/EU on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. The draft integrated energy and climate plan is a summary of Sweden’s climate change and energy policies and scenarios based on these. The first integrated plan is to be submitted to the Commission at the end of 2019.

In addition to a number of official side events in connection with the ministerial meetings (CEM9/MI-3), diverse energy related activities will take place in the Öresund region May 21 – 24, 2018. Nordic Clean Energy Week is co-hosted by Sweden and Denmark. During the week, politicians, researchers, business and industry will gather to discuss future energy solutions.

Energy efficiency measures are key to Sweden achieving its energy policy objectives. The Government is now investing SEK 850 million in more renewable energy, more efficient energy use and more energy and climate advisory services in 2018, with additional funding in 2019 and 2020.

Brazil and Sweden entered into a strategic partnership in 2009. The partnership is accompanied by an action plan which is being updated in connection with President Dilma Rousseff’s visit to Sweden.

Climate, environment and energy were three important areas Prime Minister Stefan Löfven highlighted when he presented the Statement of Government Policy to the Riksdag on 15 September 2015.