New project will accelerate municipalities' energy planning

The industrial transition in the county places high demands on the energy system. Municipal energy planning is central to the success of the work, both in the short and long term. A new project will strengthen the municipalities in this work.

Projects Accelerate municipal energy planning in Norrbotten County to be carried out by our company Energy Office North. It aims to create the conditions for coherent and long-term energy planning. The planning should take into account both industry's increasing energy needs and society's need for a secure energy supply that can withstand various types of stress. In this way, the project will contribute to collaboration between industry and society.

There is a need for plans for how new energy types and energy carriers can be incorporated into the energy system and create benefits for society. It is also important to identify areas for new electricity production.

“Better opportunities to help”

– The municipal energy plans are important for us to succeed with the transition in Norrbotten. Through this project, we will have better opportunities to help the municipalities when the plans are to be updated. This requires both supporting documents and good processes. Region Norrbotten wants to support the municipalities in this work, says Janus Brandin, Regional Development Director at Region Norrbotten.

The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. Energikontor Norr will implement it in close collaboration with the agency's two other energy planning projects in the county. Together, the three initiatives cover all 14 municipalities in Norrbotten.

“Meeting the growing energy demand”

– Municipal energy planning is a central part of our ability to meet the growing energy needs in Norrbotten and accelerate the realization of the planning goal of 300 TWh. We will support the municipalities in developing working methods and methods that strengthen energy planning and make it easier to coordinate the energy plan with the master plan and network development plans, says Isabella Katsimenis, project manager at Energikontor Norr.

The Norrbotten Region is the project owner. The project started in August 2025 and will run until December 2027. Eight municipalities will receive support in their work: Pajala, Piteå, Överkalix, Övertorneå, Kiruna, Kalix, Älvsbyn and Haparanda.

FACTS: Energy Office North

Energikontor Norr is a non-profit company that works with energy and climate issues at a local and regional level. Consulting, Information dissemination, skills development and networking are important parts of the work.