"Super ministry" and new strategy to support northern Sweden

The green transition in the north is a huge opportunity for Sweden, the government believes. Therefore, a new “super ministry” will be established to speed up the transition. This is stated in a debate article from the government. The article describes northern Sweden as “a growth engine that leads the green transition, creates jobs and welfare”.

• Energy. The electricity system must be developed, electricity production needs to increase in the north, but above all, southern Sweden's dependence on energy from the north must be reduced.
• Mines. An investigation will be appointed that aims to simplify and clarify permit processes for starting mines. 
• Skills supply. The government intends, among other things, to make it easier for professionals to further their education at colleges and universities. 
• Community service. The expansion of social services in the form of schools, healthcare and social care of the highest quality is described as crucial in keeping with population growth.
• Housing and infrastructure. The government highlights the housing shortage as an obstacle to recruitment and that the road and railway network needs to be strengthened. 
• CooperationThe government will take an “active, comprehensive approach to coordinating new industrialization in northern Sweden to ensure that processes proceed as quickly as possible and that conflicts of interest are resolved.”

Defending Hybrit

The debate article was published at the same time as Minister of Economic Affairs Ebba Busch visited Luleå and put her foot down on the issue of the Hybrit initiative. Recently, a number of critics of the project have called for it to be paused due to the large amounts of energy that will be required.

– We see that it is absolutely crucial for Swedish competitiveness and jobs that we manage the green transition. This is the project that has currently come the furthest in the world in managing to start producing green steel, Busch said at the press conference according to NSD and the Courier.

- If we look at many other measures that could also remove ten percent of Sweden's total carbon dioxide emissions, they would also have enormous other consequences in the form of reduced competitiveness, fewer jobs and less revenue to finance welfare. This is a way to both achieve climate goals and protect competitiveness, said Ebba Busch.

The statement was welcomed by regional councilor Anders Öberg (S).

- "It is gratifying that the minister is clear on the issue of Hybrit and the green transition in Norrbotten. These enormous investments require long-term rules of the game, so I hope that the government now sticks to that line," says regional councilor Anders Öberg (S) in a comment on Minister of Economic Affairs Ebba Busch's statement about Hybrit today.

On the energy issue, Minister of Economic Affairs Busch emphasized that southern Sweden's electricity needs must primarily be secured there.

- We cannot secure southern Sweden's electricity needs by relying so heavily on transporting and transferring cheap and emission-free electricity from northern Sweden. 

Priority issue

On the issue of double tracks on the Malmbanan Railway, she referred to Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson, but added that "I know that it is an incredibly prioritized issue."

– The green transition brings many challenges where we need the government's support, such as a lack of infrastructure and a shortage of housing and labor. It is important that the Minister of Industry and Trade understands how urgent it is that we really have the conditions to succeed, says Anders Öberg.

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa