The electricity grid is a cloud of worry for scorching hot Norrbotten

No one has been able to miss that investments worth many billions are planned in Norrbotten. But will the electricity grid be enough for everyone who wants to be part of the green transition? These are questions that Region Norrbotten is now taking a closer look at.

Power lines in winter landscape — Photo: Pekka Stålnacke

Last fall, Region Norrbotten's report on future electricity consumption in Norrbotten down like a bomb. The report made it clear that in just a few years most of Norrbotten's and northern Västerbotten's electricity surplus would need to be used where it is produced. The transition to fossil-free and the many new industrial establishments that are being made require lots of green electricity in the far north. Southern Sweden would not be able to count on getting its electricity from northern Norrland in the future.

Since then, the electricity supply issue has been hotter than ever, and has partly changed perspective. If it was previously only about distribution, it is now also about production. Simply expanding the electricity grid will probably not alone solve southern Sweden's capacity shortage – will the electricity that is produced even be enough? And where will the electricity come from?

“The big business world is moving in”

It has been seven months since the report was released, but the forecast for Norrbotten and northern Västerbotten's power needs would look different today. The picture from last year has not only been confirmed – it has been reinforced. LKAB's 400 billion SEK investment in fossil-free energy and H2GS's investment in coal-free steel in Boden have received a lot of attention nationally, and will require a lot of electricity.

– We are now in a transition to solve the climate problem, and it is happening quickly. Industry has pointed out a clear direction, and understood that this is the path we should take. The big business world is getting involved, and then things are going away, says Monica Lejon, head of the Norrbotten Region's business unit.

Hybrit is leading the international race to be the first with fossil-free steel. But the venture will require large amounts of electricity. Photo: Åsa Bäcklin/HYBRIT.

Collaboration on solutions

It is now well known that northern Sweden will be a central force in the transition to a fossil-free society. Region Norrbotten's work on electricity supply issues is now in a different phase, with a focus on the situation in Norrbotten's municipalities.

– Norrbotten, with its large production of cheap, renewable electricity, is red-hot right now. It is noticeable in the municipalities, which receive many questions about establishment. But there are clouds of concern, and now we are trying to map the conditions in the different municipalities. There are problems with the electricity supply that need to be addressed. The work now is about getting a good picture of the conditions and collaborating on solutions, says Monica Lejon.

Important for municipalities

Because even though our part of the country produces large amounts of electricity, it is also important to get sufficient power to the places where it is to be used. And expanding electricity infrastructure is a process that takes time.

– The electricity grid infrastructure is extremely important for municipalities. Many have plans for electricity-intensive establishments, or new establishments in general. There is a new industrialization taking place and the electricity grid infrastructure is an extremely important part, says Simon Strandberg at Stimo, who is collaborating with the Norrbotten Region on mapping the needs.

“There is a frustration”

A digital dialogue meeting with the county's municipalities will be held on April 22. Such meetings have been held before, most recently in December, but this time Svenska kraftnät and Vattenfall will participate to answer questions and present their plans.

– There is frustration that it takes so long. Today, electricity networks are largely being expanded reactively, can we be more proactive? The permit processes are drawn out and need to be reviewed. At the same time, various societal interests need to be protected, says Simon Strandberg.

Norrbotten's municipalities want to be able to welcome electricity-intensive establishments. This requires expansion of the electricity grid infrastructure in many places. Photo: Hans Berggren/Scandinav.

Pull in the same direction

The municipalities, Region Norrbotten, Vattenfall and Svenska kraftnät are not the only ones responsible for these issues. There are laws and regulations to comply with and several authorities and electricity network owners are affected.

– There are many social actors who need to get involved in this and pull in the same direction. The question now is: how do we do this together?, says Monica Lejon.

“A unique chance”

The dialogue meeting on April 22nd is aimed at municipal officials who work with community planning and business development. Those who are unable to attend and listen and influence will be able to take part in the reporting from the meeting and deepen their knowledge.

- The electricity grid issue is an important future issue. Norrbotten has been given a unique chance with the green transition, now it is important not to squander it. It is about the long-term conditions for growth in the municipalities, laying the foundation for future welfare in Norrbotten, taking the chance to reverse downward population spirals, says regional councilor Nils-Olov Lindfors (C).

Nils-Olov Lindfors, regional councilor (C).