2025-03-132024/25:NU14 · p.1NUBusiness & energy
Direction and goals for research and innovation in the energy sector
What's at stake: The goals set for energy research determine where research funding is directed in the coming years, which affects how quickly Sweden can increase its fossil-free power production, strengthen competitiveness and meet its climate targets.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is what overarching and result-oriented goals should guide state-funded energy research and innovation, and whether the focus should be broader - for example with greater emphasis on the power grid, hydrogen and batteries - than what is proposed.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee backs the government's proposal for a new overarching goal and result goal for energy research and rejects the motions. The reason is that the goals need to be adapted to the new energy policy direction - which focuses on what the energy system should deliver rather than which power sources it should consist of - and be based on security of supply, competitiveness and ecological sustainability, and that the research area needs to be clarified for the 2025-2028 period, with the Energy Agency needing a clearer strategy and better follow-up of the benefits of research.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (S)
The reservation (S) calls for energy research and innovation to be directed more toward strengthening the power grid - transmission, digitalisation, balancing, storage and flexibility - as well as toward hydrogen and e-fuels, robust battery value chains, and the societal impact of expanding power infrastructure. The reasoning is that successful electrification, with a goal of being able to produce 300 TWh by 2045 and much of that increase already by 2030, is essential for growth, prosperity and the climate targets, and that agencies such as the Energy Agency and Svenska kraftnät should more clearly use innovation procurement as a tool.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: approving what the committee proposes and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by S.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Abstain 0/0/20/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/14/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/19/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 15/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
Committee proposal
Parliament approves a) the overarching goal proposed by the government for research and innovation in the energy sector, b) the result target proposed by the government for research and innovation in the energy sector. Parliament thereby grants proposition 2024/25:72 points 1 and 2 and rejects the motions 2024/25:3301 by Birger Lahti et al. (V) motion 1, 2024/25:3308 by Fredrik Olovsson et al. (S) motions 1-3, 2024/25:3311 by Rickard Nordin et al. (C) motions 1, 4 and 5 and 2024/25:3314 by Linus Lakso et al. (MP) motion 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen godkänner a) det övergripande mål som regeringen föreslår för forskning och innovation på energiområdet, b) det resultatmål som regeringen föreslår för forskning och innovation på energiområdet. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2024/25:72 punkterna 1 och 2 samt avslår motionerna 2024/25:3301 av Birger Lahti m.fl. (V) yrkande 1, 2024/25:3308 av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S) yrkandena 1-3, 2024/25:3311 av Rickard Nordin m.fl. (C) yrkandena 1, 4 och 5 samt 2024/25:3314 av Linus Lakso m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: Parliament approved a government proposal regarding new goals for research and innovation in the energy sector. Sweden has made a change to energy policy. This means that the focus is now on what the energy and power system should perform, rather than what energy and power sources it should consist of. Parliament shares the government's view that the goals for energy research need to be adapted to the new direction of energy policy, which concerns supply security, competitiveness and ecological sustainability. Furthermore, Parliament agrees with the government's view that a special investment is needed in research and innovation regarding nuclear power. Furthermore, the Swedish Energy Agency needs to improve its monitoring and analysis of the benefits and effects of energy research.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to increase investment in research and innovation in power systems, hydrogen, e-fuels, batteries, and societal impact of electrification. (S) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The election manifesto demands that production of electricity and hydrogen increases sharply when fossil fuels are phased out and that the state invests in renewable energy, and the party programme makes radical expansion of renewable electricity production decisive for the climate transition.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto demands that production of electricity and hydrogen increases sharply when fossil fuels are phased out and that the state invests in renewable energy, and the party programme makes radical expansion of renewable electricity production decisive for the climate transition. That research is directed at the electricity system, storage, balancing, hydrogen and e-fuels serves precisely that electrification. The plan also wants to see major joint investments in the technology development the transition requires.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att produktionen av el och vätgas ökar kraftigt när fossila bränslen fasas ut och att staten går in med satsningar på förnybar energi, och partiprogrammet gör en radikal utbyggnad av den förnybara elproduktionen avgörande för klimatomställningen. Att forskningen riktas mot elsystemet, lagring, balansering, vätgas och e-bränslen tjänar just den elektrifieringen. Planen vill dessutom se stora gemensamma satsningar på den teknikutveckling omställningen kräver.
- sharply increased electricity and hydrogen productiondecisive»Produktionen av både el och exempelvis vätgas behöver öka kraftigt när vi ställer om från användning av fossila bränslen, därför behöver staten gå in med satsningar på förnybar energi.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Production of both electricity and for example hydrogen needs to increase sharply as we transition away from fossil fuel use, which is why the state needs to invest in renewable energy.”
- radical expansion of renewable electricity»En radikal utbyggnad av den förnybara elproduktionen är avgörande« (party programme ↗)“A radical expansion of renewable electricity production is crucial”
- joint investments in technology development»Vi vill se stora gemensamma satsningar på den teknikutveckling« (party programme ↗)“We want to see major joint investments in the technology development”
- investments in green technology and energy»Investeringar i grön teknik, industri och infrastruktur, utbyggd energikapacitet och stärkt styrning utifrån nya, skärpta klimatmål behövs.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Investments in green technology, industry and infrastructure, expanded energy capacity and strengthened steering based on new, tightened climate goals are needed.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto commits to at least doubling the pace of electricity grid expansion and to increasing Swedish production of renewable fuels, and that the state should drive industry's transition forward.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto commits to at least doubling the pace of electricity grid expansion and to increasing Swedish production of renewable fuels, and that the state should drive industry's transition forward. The counter-proposal's direction of energy research towards the electricity system, hydrogen, e-fuels and battery value chains are precisely these commitments translated into research goals. The plan's position that there are no sacred cows in the energy question at the same time speaks for research not being locked into one power generation technology.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet åtar sig att minst fördubbla takten i utbyggnaden av elnätet och att öka den svenska produktionen av förnybara drivmedel, samt att staten ska driva industrins omställning framåt. Motförslagets inriktning av energiforskningen mot elsystemet, vätgas, e-bränslen och batterivärdekedjor är precis dessa åtaganden översatta till forskningsmål. Planens hållning att inga heliga kor finns i energifrågan talar samtidigt för att forskningen inte ska låsas till ett kraftslag.
- doubled electricity grid expansiondecisive»Riv de byråkratiska hindren för mer el. Långsamma tillståndsprocesser ska snabbas på. Vi vill minst fördubbla takten i utbyggnaden av elnätet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Remove the bureaucratic obstacles for more electricity. Slow permission processes must be sped up. We want to at least double the pace of electricity grid expansion.”
- renewable fuels and e-fuels»Vi vill öka den svenska produktionen av förnybara drivmedel, så att det blir lättare att tanka fossilfritt i Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to increase Swedish production of renewable fuels, so that it becomes easier to refuel fossil-free in Sweden.”
- government investment in transition»Genom statliga investeringar kan vi öka takten i industrins omställning och underlätta ett klimatsmart liv.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Through government investment we can increase the pace of industry's transition and facilitate climate-smart living.”
- technology-neutral energy policy»När det gäller att lösa Sveriges energibehov finns inga heliga kor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“When it comes to meeting Sweden's energy needs there are no sacred cows.”
The plan wants to expand the electricity grid, invest in energy storage and focus on a smart energy system, and identifies smart grids and support for renewable energy laws as necessary measures.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to expand the electricity grid, invest in energy storage and focus on a smart energy system, and identifies smart grids and support for renewable energy laws as necessary measures. Energy research focused on transmission, balancing, storage, flexibility, hydrogen and electrofuels directly addresses these commitments. The plan additionally views investments in renewable energy and climate research as a result of deliberate political priorities.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill bygga ut elnäten, investera i energilager och satsa på ett smart energisystem, och pekar ut smarta elnät och stöd till de förnybara energislagen som nödvändiga insatser. En energiforskning inriktad mot överföring, balansering, lagring, flexibilitet, vätgas och elektrobränslen svarar direkt mot dessa åtaganden. Planen ser dessutom satsningar på förnybar energi och klimatforskning som resultat av medvetna politiska prioriteringar.
- grid, storage and flexibilitydecisive»bygga ut elnäten, investera i energilager och satsa på ett smart energisystem« (2022 manifesto ↗)“expand the electricity grid, invest in energy storage and focus on a smart energy system”
- promote renewables and smart grids»Det behövs både planeringsmål, förenklade regelverk och ekonomiskt stöd för att främja de förnybara energislagen, utveckla smarta elnät och stimulera fler människor till att producera sin egen värme och el.« (party programme ↗)“Both planning targets, simplified regulations and financial support are needed to promote renewable energy laws, develop smart grids and encourage more people to produce their own heat and electricity.”
- politically directed climate research»Arbetet med ökad jämställdhet, satsningen på förnybar energi och klimatforskning, och den breddade rekryteringen till forskarutbildningen är resultatet av medvetna politiska satsningar.« (party programme ↗)“Work on increased gender equality, investment in renewable energy and climate research, and expanded recruitment to researcher education are the result of deliberate political initiatives.”
- electrofuels and hydrogen»skynda på omställningen till förnybara bränslen, elektrobränslen och elflyg« (2022 manifesto ↗)“accelerate the transition to renewable fuels, electrofuels and electric aviation”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto wants to double zero-emission electricity production, upgrade and expand the electricity grid and make Sweden Europe's green battery, with a green industrial boom where battery production is singled out particularly.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto wants to double zero-emission electricity production, upgrade and expand the electricity grid and make Sweden Europe's green battery, with a green industrial boom where battery production is singled out particularly. The party programme demands long-term investments in research and innovation for renewable technology. Directing energy research toward electricity systems, hydrogen and battery value chains follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill fördubbla den utsläppsfria elproduktionen, rusta och bygga ut elnätet och göra Sverige till Europas gröna batteri, med en grön industriboom där batteriproduktion pekas ut särskilt. Partiprogrammet kräver långsiktiga satsningar på forskning och innovation för förnybar teknik. Att rikta energiforskningen mot elsystem, vätgas och batterivärdekedjor följer av dessa åtaganden.
- doubled zero-emission electricity and griddecisive»Vi vill fördubbla produktionen av utsläppsfri el, och rusta och bygga ut elnätet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to double the production of zero-emission electricity and upgrade and expand the electricity grid.”
- Europe's green battery»Sverige ska bli Europas gröna batteri och exportera el till grannländer som fasar ut sitt fossilberoende.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall become Europe's green battery and export electricity to neighbouring countries phasing out their fossil fuel dependence.”
- research for renewable technology»För att nå dit krävs tydliga ekonomiska styrmedel och långsiktiga satsningar på forskning och innovation för« (party programme ↗)“To get there requires clear economic policy instruments and long-term investments in research and innovation for”
- green industrial boom»En grön industriboom har redan påbörjats i Sverige, från batteriproduktion, bioraffinaderier och världens första fossilfria stål i norr till eldrivna bilar, flygplan och lastbilar längre söderut.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A green industrial boom has already started in Sweden, from battery production, bio-refineries and the world's first fossil-free steel in the north to electric-driven cars, aircraft and lorries further south.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants an autobahn for all new green electricity that improves transmission throughout Sweden and points to investments in the power system and energy storage as key to lower electricity prices, because climate transition requires twice as much electricity.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants an autobahn for all new green electricity that improves transmission throughout Sweden and points to investments in the power system and energy storage as key to lower electricity prices, because climate transition requires twice as much electricity. Technical development is according to the plan a central part of the solution and requires continued high ambitions for research. To direct energy research towards electricity systems, storage, flexibility and hydrogen therefore follows from the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill en autobahn för all ny grön el som förbättrar överföringen i hela Sverige och pekar ut investeringar i kraftsystemet och energilagring som nyckeln till lägre elpriser, eftersom klimatomställningen kräver dubbelt så mycket el. Teknisk utveckling är enligt planen en central del av lösningen och kräver fortsatt höga ambitioner för forskning. Att rikta energiforskningen mot elsystem, lagring, flexibilitet och vätgas följer därför av planen.
- strengthened transmission capacitydecisive»en autobahn för all ny grön el som förbättrar överföringen i hela Sverige« (2022 manifesto ↗)“an autobahn for all new green electricity that improves transmission throughout Sweden”
- investments in the power system»Ska vi få ner elpriserna krävs att vi bygger inte bara kärnkraft utan också mer sol- och vindkraft i hela landet, investerar i kraftsystemet och satsar på energilagring.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To get electricity prices down we need to build not only nuclear power but also more solar and wind power throughout the country, invest in the power system and focus on energy storage.”
- technical development as solution»Teknisk utveckling är en central del av lösningen på dagens miljöproblem.« (party programme ↗)“Technical development is a central part of the solution to today's environmental problems.”
- dramatic electrification»Klimatomställningen kräver dubbelt så mycket el som i dag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Climate transition requires twice as much electricity as today.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires major investments in energy research and energy technology development and that transmission capacity within Sweden and to other countries be well developed, and highlights energy efficiency as a profitable way to secure supply.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires major investments in energy research and energy technology development and that transmission capacity within Sweden and to other countries be well developed, and highlights energy efficiency as a profitable way to secure supply. The counter-proposal's direction toward power transmission, storage, balancing and flexibility is in line with this. The conclusion is derived and uncertain, since the plan does not rank research areas. The plan does however name the same three pillars that the committee bases itself on.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver stora satsningar på energiforskning och energiteknisk utveckling och att överföringskapaciteten inom Sverige och till andra länder är väl utbyggd, samt lyfter energieffektivisering som ett lönsamt sätt att trygga försörjningen. Motförslagets inriktning mot kraftöverföring, lagring, balansering och flexibilitet ligger i linje med detta. Slutsatsen är härledd och osäker, eftersom planen inte rangordnar forskningsområden. Planen anger dock samma tre grundpelare som utskottet utgår från.
- efforts in energy researchdecisive»krävs långsiktiga investeringar och att stora satsningar görs på energiforskning och« (party programme ↗)“major investments and major efforts are made in energy research and”
- developed transmission capacity»är väl utbyggd, också för att möjliggöra svensk export« (party programme ↗)“is well developed, also to enable Swedish export”
- energy efficiency profitable»Energieffektivisering är ett lönsamt och effektivt« (party programme ↗)“Energy efficiency is a profitable and effective”
- sustainability, security, competitiveness»De tre grundpelarna för den svenska energipolitiken ska« (party programme ↗)“The three pillars for Swedish energy policy shall”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that electricity needs more than double by 2045 and commits to investing in the power grid and shortening permit processes for grid expansion, which aligns with directing energy research towards power transmission, storage and flexibility.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that electricity needs more than double by 2045 and commits to investing in the power grid and shortening permit processes for grid expansion, which aligns with directing energy research towards power transmission, storage and flexibility. The plan also invests in fossil-free fuels. At the same time, the plan wants to safeguard free research from political direction, which qualifies the support. The demands are therefore supported with low support in the text.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att elbehovet mer än fördubblas till 2045 och åtar sig att investera i elnätet och korta tillståndsprocesserna för elnätsutbyggnad, vilket ligger i linje med att rikta energiforskningen mot kraftöverföring, lagring och flexibilitet. Planen satsar också på fossilfria bränslen. Samtidigt vill planen värna den fria forskningen från politiska pekpinnar, vilket kvalificerar stödet. Kraven stöds därför med lågt stöd i texten.
- invest in the power griddecisive»Investera i det svenska elnätet och korta tillståndsprocesserna för elnätsutbyggnad« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Invest in the Swedish power grid and shorten permit processes for grid expansion”
- doubled electricity needs»Fram till 2045 kommer Sveriges elbehov mer än fördubblas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“By 2045, Sweden's electricity needs will more than double.”
- investment in fossil-free fuels»Satsa på tillverkning av biodrivmedel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Invest in the production of biofuels”
- free research»Värna den fria forskningen från politiska pekpinnar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Safeguard free research from political direction”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto wants to focus more on research and development to make fossil-free energy more profitable and criticizes the slow work on expanded transmission capacity, which is the core of the counter-proposal's direction for the electricity system.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto wants to focus more on research and development to make fossil-free energy more profitable and criticizes the slow work on expanded transmission capacity, which is the core of the counter-proposal's direction for the electricity system. The plan also wants to facilitate electrification through permanently lowered electricity tax. At the same time, the plan's own research priority is fourth-generation nuclear power, which is why support for this direction is weak and derived.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill fokusera mer på forskning och utveckling för att göra fossilfri energi lönsammare och kritiserar det saktfärdiga arbetet med utbyggd överföringskapacitet, vilket är kärnan i motförslagets inriktning mot elsystemet. Planen vill också underlätta elektrifieringen genom permanent sänkt elskatt. Samtidigt är planens egen forskningsprioritering fjärde generationens kärnkraft, varför stödet för denna inriktning är svagt och härlett.
- research on fossil-free energydecisive»Fokusera mer på forskning och utveckling för att göra fossilfrienergi lönsammare« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Focus more on research and development to make fossil-free energy more profitable”
- expanded transmission capacity»ett saktfärdigt arbete med att påskynda tillståndsprocesserna med utbyggd överföringskapacitet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“slow work on accelerating permit processes with expanded transmission capacity”
- facilitate electrification»Sänka skatten på elenergi permanent för att underlätta elektrifieringen« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Permanently lower the tax on electrical energy to facilitate electrification”
- nuclear power research is prioritized»Mer resurser måste satsas på att utveckla lösningar för den fjärde generationens kärnkraft.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More resources must be invested in developing solutions for fourth-generation nuclear power.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:NU14)
- Committee report full text (HC01NU14)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1762 — Ökat stöd till forskning och utveckling av förnybar energi i Sverige av Joakim Järrebring m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3301 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:72 Forskning och innovation på energiområdet för försörjningstrygghet, konkurrenskraft och klimatomställning av Birger Lahti m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:3308 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:72 Forskning och innovation på energiområdet för försörjningstrygghet, konkurrenskraft och klimatomställning av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3311 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:72 Forskning och innovation på energiområdet för försörjningstrygghet, konkurrenskraft och klimatomställning av Rickard Nordin m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:3314 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:72 Forskning och innovation på energiområdet för försörjningstrygghet, konkurrenskraft och klimatomställning av Linus Lakso m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:54 — Omställning till förnybar energiförsörjning av Birger Lahti m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:739 — Svensk satsning kring fusionsenergi av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Proposition 2024/25:72 — Forskning och innovation på energiområdet för försörjningstrygghet, konkurrenskraft och klimatomställning
Source: The Swedish Parliament