Almedalen – Sweden’s Arena Hydrogen
What an Almedalen week we had! Many visitors came to our tent and listened as we discussed hydrogen in industry, energy and transport. Here are some of the highlights of our three seminars.
The transition and significant investments in industry show a great need for new energy production: from today's 150 TWh to 280 TWh by 2030-2035. Here, renewable hydrogen is the key to the transition and reduced CO2 emissions in many industries - not only in fossil-free steel production. But the lack of plans reduces the country's attractiveness to investors, limiting the potential for business growth. A new modern energy system is a long-term investment that requires a much greater commitment from the country's political leadership. Education is needed among politicians and authorities.
Speakers highlighted that unreasonable authorisation lead times are the biggest obstacle to getting started. The participants pointed out a few things to do: dare to create co-planning between different energy systems, and politicians must realise that they must reach a consensus on what they want with "energy Sweden".
Today we face the unreasonable situation that it takes four times as long to get a decision as it does to build the park itself. Courage and knowledge must be shown to be able to build cross-bloc plans that survive the mandate periods. Furthermore, political decisions must be synchronised from the national to the local level so that authorisation processes and construction lead times are not too long. An example was given of Germany, which will decide on legislation in the autumn. Germany has decided to use hydrogen. In the short term, more licences are needed for onshore and offshore wind power.
In the Baltic Sea, a hydrogen investment of 200 billion will be made, financed by pension funds among others. Members of society must know where these investments are being financed.
Sweden is an export country with enormous energy needs to the south. We must see our part in that market. The market should not be regulated - but the infrastructure must be. Otherwise, no one will dare to invest. However, the concept of "cross-party energy agreements" is infected. We should start talking in terms of "co-planning".
Read more about our programme and the discussions: https://vatgas.se/almedalen-2023/
See the original report on Hydrogen Sweden's website: https://vatgas.se/2023/06/30/almedalen-arena-vatgas/
Photo: Vätgas Sverige
