The government's response to the Norrbotten report: an acceleration office

An acceleration office for green transition with two industry coordinators – that is the government's new move to untie the knots that threaten Swedish competitiveness. At a press conference, Minister of Economic Affairs Ebba Busch repeatedly referred to the report that Region Norrbotten released last month. – If we risk missing out on a GDP increase of 2 to 3 percent in Norrbotten alone, what could happen if you add the rest of Sweden? she asked herself.

By establishing a green acceleration office and appointing two industry coordinators, Kristina Alvendal and Niklas Nordström, the government wants to make it easier for companies to invest in green transition and at the same time strengthen Swedish competitiveness.

– There is a rush for three reasons. We can't just talk about climate change, we have to do things. The second is geopolitical tensions, we can't be unilaterally dependent on China. And then there are the competitive advantages, said Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at the press conference on June 13.

During the press conference, the government returned to the importance of finding quick solutions if these investments are not to end up elsewhere in the world.

“Leading the green transition”

– Companies need stable conditions for their decisions. Hybrit, H2 Green Steel, Northvolt are now leading the green transition in Sweden, if they succeed it will be of great importance for other companies that follow in their footsteps, said Ulf Kristersson.

But for the transition to be successful, three things are required, according to the Prime Minister: reliable fossil-free energy, predictable permit processes, and a robust infrastructure in both a north-south and east-west direction.

– All of these conditions are issues that Region Norrbotten has been pursuing for several years. They constitute a vulnerability that our report Norrbotten: Industrial transition and its socio-economic effects pointed out in May, says Anders Öberg (S), chairman of the regional board of Region Norrbotten.

“I call that climate hope”

Minister of Industry, Trade and Industry Ebba Busch emphasized the importance of high-level climate goals, economic growth, jobs and welfare going hand in hand and referred to the potential in Norrbotten as an example.

– There is a report from McKinsey commissioned by Region Norrbotten that calculates an increase in Sweden's GDP of 2 to 3 percent solely from industrial investments in northern Sweden. That is equivalent to an annual defense budget. 15-35 billion kronor in increased tax revenue and 20 new jobs with positive spillover effects throughout the country. I call that climate hope, she said.

– But if we risk missing out on a GDP increase of 2 to 3 percent just in Norrbotten, then you can imagine what the effects would be if you added the rest of Sweden.

The Norrbotten report was released on May 3.

To address the threats to industrial transformation and Swedish competitiveness, the government is establishing a “green acceleration office” with two industry coordinators who, with the help of various experts, will find solutions. The government has drawn inspiration from how the AGON network in Norrbotten has worked to gather all stakeholders around a table and jointly find a way forward.

The work will be coordinated by Kristina Alvendal, with a background in the real estate industry and as a mayor in Stockholm, and Niklas Nordström, who has been a municipal councilor in Luleå and has also worked for Business Sweden. The acceleration office and the coordinators will be given a broad assignment. Until the end of December 2026, they will work to:

– Collaborate with stakeholders to come up with suggestions for obstacles and conflicts of interest, and work proactively to prevent such problems from arising

• Get authorities to speak with one voice to companies and, for example, provide clear timetables
• Analyze different forms of financing that can accelerate the industry's transformation
• Propose measures that can contribute to a more efficient use of existing funds, a more favourable investment environment and the mobilisation of private investment.
• Develop proposals for changes to laws and regulations, propose new assignments to authorities or streamline public services
• Collect information about business start-ups and continuously develop a current picture
• Act as an arena for companies looking for good investment opportunities.

No government subsidies

One solution that is dismissed, however, is government subsidies, which are currently a strong driver for green transition in countries such as Germany and the US. Instead, Sweden should compete with a world-class business climate, the government said. And to get there, the government needs to step up its commitment.

– The transition requires political support, political footwork, so that we can handle this enormous opportunity. The state simply must take a slightly greater responsibility for the green transition so that we do not create obstacles for ourselves that are completely unnecessary, said Minister of Labor Johan Pehrson.

The Norrbotten Region looks forward to seeing greater government involvement in the industrial transition, societal transformation and the conflicts of interest that follow in its wake.

– It is gratifying that the government has taken on board some of the conclusions in our report and wants to act on them. That they now understand that our leading position and great values ​​could be lost if nothing happens, and that it is urgent, says regional councilor Anders Öberg.

The chairman of the regional board, Anders Öberg, fears that the acceleration office is too one-sidedly focused on supporting companies. Photo: Simon Eliasson

At the same time, there is concern that the government is overlooking another important conclusion in the report: the imbalance that exists where municipalities bear almost all the risk while the state takes home most of the profit. The press conference did not mention support for establishment municipalities, support for housing construction or other efforts to enable communities to expand.

– It remains to be seen what the industry coordinators and the acceleration office can achieve in practice. Ultimately, the societal transformation and the green transition depend on what economic resources will be available. It is not possible to collaborate, talk or analyze energy production, railways or housing, says Anders Öberg.

The acceleration office will begin its work in August.

Government press release

Reports Norrbotten: Industrial transition and its socio-economic effects
The report Norrbotten: The industrial transition and its socio-economic impacts

Text: Sara Stylbäck Vesa