2024-05-292023/24:NU14 · p.2NUBusiness & energy
Planning goals for the electricity system
What's at stake: The planning target governs how quickly power generation and grids are expanded and how much uncertainty investors, industry and municipalities face. A target further in the future allows more time for planning, but critics argue it risks delaying investments and measures that are needed in the near term.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether parliament should adopt the government's long-term planning target for electricity demand, with checkpoints that begin some way into the future, or instead adopt a target with an earlier, nearer time horizon.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee endorses the government's planning target and rejects the motions. It agrees that a target quantified for both the long and short term clarifies the ambition of energy policy and reduces uncertainty around investment decisions. The target means Sweden should plan to meet electricity demand of at least 300 TWh by 2045, with needs clarified for 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045 and follow-up at checkpoints from 2030 onward. The committee also notes that the target may need to be reviewed and refined later, partly because of uncertainty over which large industrial and power-generation projects will actually go ahead.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 5 (S, C)
The reservation (S, C) considers the 2045 planning target too far in the future and instead wants the government to come back with a planning target already for 2030. The reasoning is that a nearer target demands more concrete action, and a joint agency report shows electricity demand could nearly double by 2035. The signatories also point to the deteriorating security situation in Europe, Sweden's NATO membership, and the need to reduce dependence on fossil energy as reasons to prioritise near-term investment over a strong focus on new centralised power generation more than a decade away.
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 5 by S, C.
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 0/0/18/6 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | No 0/91/0/15 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/15/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | No 0/19/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| L | Yes | Yes 11/0/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 58/0/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 61/0/0/11 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag approves the planning goal that the government proposes shall apply to the electricity system. Thereby, the Riksdag approves bill 2023/24:105 point 1 and rejects the motions 2023/24:2845 by Birger Lahti et al. (V) in this respect, 2023/24:2853 by Fredrik Olovsson et al. (S, C) demands 1 and 3, and 2023/24:2855 by Linus Lakso et al. (MP) demands 1 in this respect, 2 and 3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen godkänner det planeringsmål som regeringen föreslår ska gälla för elsystemet. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2023/24:105 punkt 1 och avslår motionerna 2023/24:2845 av Birger Lahti m.fl. (V) i denna del, 2023/24:2853 av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S, C) yrkandena 1 och 3 samt 2023/24:2855 av Linus Lakso m.fl. (MP) yrkandena 1 i denna del, 2 och 3.
Riksdag decision: The government proposes two new goals for Sweden's electricity system: a planning goal and a supply security goal. The Riksdag proposes that the Riksdag should approve the proposal. The planning goal means that the electricity system should provide conditions for delivering the electricity needed for increased electrification and to make the green transition possible. The goal should facilitate planning to meet an electricity need of at least 300 TWh in 2045. The supply security goal means that the Swedish electricity system shall have the ability to deliver electricity where demand exists, at the right time and in sufficient quantity, to the extent that it is cost-effective for society. The authority Swedish National Grid shall be responsible for regular monitoring of the goal. The Riksdag said no to proposals in motions in the energy policy area, including about 130 proposals in motions from the general motion period of 2023.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to set a planning goal for fossil-free power production. (S, C) — Reservation 5
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 plan explicitly rejects expanded nuclear power as a way out of fossil fuel dependence and instead demands a radical expansion of renewable electricity, with the transition taking place immediately.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly rejects expanded nuclear power as a way out of fossil fuel dependence and instead demands a radical expansion of renewable electricity, with the transition taking place immediately. A planning target with an earlier time horizon that prioritises near-term investments before new centralised power production far ahead thus aligns with the plan. However, the proposal's security policy rationale is not shared by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen avvisar uttryckligen utbyggd kärnkraft som väg ut ur fossilberoendet och kräver i stället en radikal utbyggnad av förnybar el, med omställningen omgående. Ett planeringsmål med tidigare tidshorisont som prioriterar närtida investeringar framför ny centraliserad kraftproduktion långt fram ligger därmed i planens linje. Förslagets säkerhetspolitiska motivering delas dock inte av planen.
- rejects expanded nuclear powerdecisive»planerna på att bygga ut kärnkraften som en väg ut ur fossilberoendet.« (party programme ↗)“the plans to expand nuclear power as a way out of fossil fuel dependence.”
- radical renewable expansion»En radikal utbyggnad av den förnybara elproduktionen är avgörande« (party programme ↗)“A radical expansion of renewable electricity production is crucial”
- transition immediately»Omställningen behöver ske omgående och alla politiska beslut behöver ta hänsyn till den akuta kris som vi befinner oss i.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The transition needs to happen immediately and all political decisions need to take into account the acute crisis we find ourselves in.”
- numerically specified goals»klimatmålen med konkreta, siffersatta förslag.« (party programme ↗)“climate goals with concrete, numerically specified proposals.”
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 requires that electricity production be expanded rapidly, not least in southern Sweden, and that pressure on electricity prices be reduced through rapid production expansion and at least doubled pace of electricity grid expansion.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto requires that electricity production be expanded rapidly, not least in southern Sweden, and that pressure on electricity prices be reduced through rapid production expansion and at least doubled pace of electricity grid expansion. The counter-proposal's requirement for a planning goal with a shorter time horizon, which forces concrete measures in the near term, aligns with that urgency. However, the plan does not comment on the goal's timing.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att elproduktionen byggs ut snabbt, inte minst i södra Sverige, och att trycket på elpriserna minskas genom snabbt utbyggd produktion och minst fördubblad takt i elnätsutbyggnaden. Motförslagets krav på ett planeringsmål med närmare tidshorisont, som tvingar fram konkreta åtgärder i närtid, ligger i linje med den brådskan. Planen uttalar sig dock inte om målets tidssättning.
- rapid expansion of electricity productiondecisive»Vi behöver bygga ut elproduktionen för att få mer billig el, snabbt, inte minst i södra Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We need to expand electricity production to get more cheap electricity, rapidly, not least in southern Sweden.”
- lower electricity prices through more production»Minska trycket på elpriserna genom en snabbt utbyggd elproduktion.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Reduce pressure on electricity prices through rapidly expanded electricity production.”
- doubled electricity grid expansion»Vi vill minst fördubbla takten i utbyggnaden av elnätet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to at least double the pace of electricity grid expansion.”
- nuclear power has continued role»Kärnkraften är en viktig del av svensk elproduktion och kommer att så vara under lång tid framöver.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Nuclear power is an important part of Swedish electricity production and will continue to be so for a long time to come.”
The election manifesto establishes that sun and wind are the fastest ways to expand electricity production and that nuclear power takes at least 15 years, which makes near-term investments the plan's priority.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto establishes that sun and wind are the fastest ways to expand electricity production and that nuclear power takes at least 15 years, which makes near-term investments the plan's priority. The party programme additionally emphasises decentralised energy production and expanded electricity grids. A planning target with an earlier time horizon, instead of focus on centralised power production far ahead, thus aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att sol och vind är de snabbaste sätten att bygga ut elproduktionen och att kärnkraft tar minst 15 år, vilket gör närtida investeringar till planens prioritering. Partiprogrammet lyfter dessutom decentraliserad energiproduktion och utbyggda elnät. Ett planeringsmål med tidigare tidshorisont, framför fokus på centraliserad kraftproduktion långt fram, ligger därför i linje med planen.
- fastest expansion with sun and winddecisive»Solenergi och vindkraft är idag de överlägset billigaste, snabbaste och säkraste sätten att bygga ut vår energiproduktion.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Solar energy and wind power are today the undeniably cheapest, fastest and safest ways to expand our energy production.”
- nuclear power too slow»Kärnkraften tar minst 15 år att bygga« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Nuclear power takes at least 15 years to build”
- decentralised energy production»samman. Decentraliserad energiproduktion, nya« (party programme ↗)“together. Decentralised energy production, new”
- near-term grid investments»bygga ut elnäten, investera i energilager och satsa på ett smart energisystem« (2022 manifesto ↗)“expand the electricity grids, invest in energy storage and focus on a smart energy system”
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 sets an explicit near-term goal: at least 50 TWh zero-emission electricity must start being built already during the parliamentary term, and a crisis commission shall speed up electricity production.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto sets an explicit near-term goal: at least 50 TWh zero-emission electricity must start being built already during the parliamentary term, and a crisis commission shall speed up electricity production. This is precisely the counter-proposal's demand for a planning goal with an earlier time horizon that sets higher demands on concrete measures. The plan's reasons are the same as the counter-proposal's: reduced fossil fuel dependence and a security situation that requires rapid expansion.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet sätter ett uttalat närtidsmål: minst 50 TWh utsläppsfri el måste börja byggas redan under mandatperioden, och en kriskommission ska snabba på elproduktionen. Det är precis motförslagets krav på ett planeringsmål med tidigare tidshorisont som ställer högre krav på konkreta åtgärder. Planens skäl är desamma som motförslagets: minskat fossilberoende och ett säkerhetsläge som kräver snabb utbyggnad.
- near-term electricity expansiondecisive»Minst 50 TWh utsläppsfri el måste börja byggas nästa mandatperiod.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At least 50 TWh zero-emission electricity must start being built in the next parliamentary term.”
- faster electricity production»Det krävs en kriskommission för att snabbare öka Sveriges utsläppsfria elproduktion och tillstånd för vindkraft ska få ta max två år.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A crisis commission is needed to more quickly increase Sweden's zero-emission electricity production and permits for wind power should take a maximum two years.”
- reduced fossil fuel dependence»Stryp Putins krigskassa nu. Vi vill stoppa all energihandel med Ryssland och fasa ut fossila bränslen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Choke Putin's war chest now. We want to stop all energy trade with Russia and phase out fossil fuels.”
- Sweden as 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.”
The plan proceeds from climate transition requiring twice as much electricity as today and that it requires more new reactors, state loan guarantees and payment for dispatchable power.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan proceeds from climate transition requiring twice as much electricity as today and that it requires more new reactors, state loan guarantees and payment for dispatchable power. A planning target with narrower time horizon that explicitly downplays new centralized power production therefore goes against that direction. The plan certainly wants measures here and now, but does not bear the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Planen utgår från att klimatomställningen kräver dubbelt så mycket el som i dag och att det kräver fler nya reaktorer, statliga lånegarantier och betalt för planerbar kraft. Ett planeringsmål med snävare tidshorisont som uttryckligen tonar ner ny centraliserad kraftproduktion går emot den linjen. Planen vill visserligen också ha åtgärder här och nu, men bär inte motförslagets krav.
- doubled electricity need requires nucleardecisive»Klimatomställningen kräver dubbelt så mycket el som i dag. Då kan vi inte avveckla kärnkraften.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Climate transition requires twice as much electricity as today. Then we cannot shut down nuclear power.”
- more new reactors»I stället vill vi möjliggöra fler nya reaktorer på fler ställen, möjliggöra återstart av Ringhals 1 och 2, se till att statliga lånegarantier omfattar kärnkraften, modernisera regelverken och ge kärnkraften betalt för att den alltid finns tillgänglig.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Instead we want to enable more new reactors in more places, enable restart of Ringhals 1 and 2, ensure that state loan guarantees cover nuclear power, modernize regulatory frameworks and pay nuclear power for being always available.”
- nuclear power for the climate»Kärnkraften behövs för klimatets skull och för att minska världens utsläpp.« (party programme ↗)“Nuclear power is needed for the climate's sake and to reduce the world's emissions.”
- measures here and now»Vi vill både sänka elmomsen och den särskilda extraskatten på el för att mildra elprischocken här och nu.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want both to lower the VAT on electricity and the special tax on electricity to ease the electricity price shock here and now.”
The election manifesto builds the electricity supply on nuclear power with long-term conditions and new reactors, and the party programme requires long-term energy policy with fixed rules of the game and long-term investments.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto builds the electricity supply on nuclear power with long-term conditions and new reactors, and the party programme requires long-term energy policy with fixed rules of the game and long-term investments. The counter-proposal wants instead to move the planning target closer in time and deprioritize new centralized power production, which goes against the plan's direction. The plan also sees wind power only as a complement.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet bygger elförsörjningen på kärnkraft med långsiktiga villkor och nya reaktorer, och principprogrammet kräver en långsiktig energipolitik med fasta spelregler och långsiktiga investeringar. Motförslaget vill i stället flytta planeringsmålet närmare i tiden och prioritera ned ny centraliserad kraftproduktion, vilket går emot planens inriktning. Planen ser dessutom vindkraft endast som ett komplement.
- long-term nuclear power expansiondecisive»Satsa på kärnkraften med långsiktiga villkor att utvecklas. Förläng befintliga reaktorers drift och bygg ut med nya reaktorer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Invest in nuclear power with long-term conditions to develop. Extend the operation of existing reactors and build out with new reactors.”
- long-term energy policy»Sveriges energiförsörjning ska tryggas genom en långsiktig energipolitik med fasta spelregler« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's energy supply shall be secured through long-term energy policy with fixed rules of the game”
- long-term investments»krävs långsiktiga investeringar« (party programme ↗)“long-term investments are required”
- wind power only as complement»Bygg ut vindkraften men med respekt för den lokala demokratin och anpassa storleken efter lokala villkor. Vindkraft kan dock bara vara ett komplement.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Build out wind power but with respect for local democracy and adapt the size to local conditions. Wind power can however only be a complement.”
The plan's electricity system is built around electricity use more than doubling by 2045 and an expansion of nuclear power described as wholly central, with state loan guarantees for ten new reactors.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's electricity system is built around electricity use more than doubling by 2045 and an expansion of nuclear power described as wholly central, with state loan guarantees for ten new reactors. The counter-proposal wants to move the planning target closer in time and downplays the investment in new centralized power production far ahead, which goes against the plan's time horizon. The requirement for investments in grid and transmission, on the other hand, lies close to the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planens elsystem byggs runt en mer än fördubblad elanvändning till 2045 och en utbyggnad av kärnkraften som beskrivs som helt central, med statliga lånegarantier för tio nya reaktorer. Motförslaget vill flytta planeringsmålet närmare i tiden och tonar ned satsningen på ny centraliserad kraftproduktion långt fram, vilket går emot planens tidshorisont. Kravet på investeringar i nät och överföring ligger däremot nära planen.
- doubled electricity needs by 2045decisive»Fram till 2045 kommer Sveriges elbehov mer än fördubblas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“By 2045, Sweden's electricity needs will more than double.”
- nuclear power is central»kommer en utbyggnad av kärnkraften att vara helt central« (2022 manifesto ↗)“an expansion of nuclear power will be wholly central”
- ten new reactors»Moderaterna vill att staten garanterar lån för byggandet av ny kärnkraft – det skulle möjliggöra att 10 nya reaktorer byggs.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Moderate Party wants the state to guarantee loans for the building of new nuclear power – that would make it possible for 10 new reactors to be built.”
- expanded power grid»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”
The plan's energy line is a long-term investment in new nuclear power with a roadmap for SMR reactors, that is, precisely the plannable and mainly centralized power production that the counter-proposal wants to downplay in favor of near-term measures.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's energy line is a long-term investment in new nuclear power with a roadmap for SMR reactors, that is, precisely the plannable and mainly centralized power production that the counter-proposal wants to downplay in favor of near-term measures. The plan also assumes that electricity consumption will increase significantly by 2045, which justifies a long-term goal. Long-term commitment and predictability are highlighted as a prerequisite for investments.
Original (Swedish)
Planens energilinje är en långsiktig satsning på ny kärnkraft med färdplan för SMR-reaktorer, alltså just den planerbara och i huvudsak centraliserade kraftproduktion som motförslaget vill tona ned till förmån för närtida åtgärder. Planen räknar dessutom med att elanvändningen ökar kraftigt till 2045, vilket motiverar ett mål med lång horisont. Långsiktighet och förutsägbarhet framhålls som en förutsättning för investeringar.
- long-term nuclear power investmentdecisive»Sverigedemokraterna vill göra en långsiktig satsning på den nya generationens kärnkraft.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Sweden Democrats want to make a long-term investment in the new generation of nuclear power.”
- roadmap for new nuclear power»Skapa förutsättningar för ny kärnkraft i Sverige och en färdplan för byggandet av SMR-reaktorer« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Create conditions for new nuclear power in Sweden and a roadmap for building SMR reactors”
- significantly increased electricity demand»Enligt en prognos från Svenskt Näringsliv väntas elanvändningen i Sverige öka med hela 60 procent till år 2045.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“According to a forecast from the Swedish Business Association, electricity consumption in Sweden is expected to increase by as much as 60 percent by 2045.”
- long-term commitment enables investments»En förutsättning för att lönsamma investeringar ska kunna göras är en långsiktig politik som tar hänsyn till industrins behov av en förutsägbar process.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A prerequisite for profitable investments to be made is long-term policy that takes into account industry's need for a predictable process.”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:NU14)
- Committee report full text (HB01NU14)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1250 — Förnybar energiomställning av Martina Johansson och Mikael Larsson (båda C)
- Motion 2023/24:1281 — Långsiktigt hållbar energiförsörjning av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2023/24:13 — Riktlinjer för svensk energiförsörjning av Björn Tidland (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:1312 — Ekonomisk utvärdering av olika former av energiproduktion av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1351 — Korttidsreglering av vattenkraft av Lars Isacsson (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1519 — En grön klimathandlingsplan för Sverige av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:1527 — Ett miljövänligt, robust och konkurrenskraftigt energisystem av Linus Lakso m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:1572 — Energi av Adnan Dibrani och Jennie Nilsson (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1824 — Lagerhållning av elnätsstolpar i trä av Monica Haider (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1935 — Säkrad energiförsörjning genom samordning av Sofia Amloh m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1991 — Rättvisa elpriser i södra Sverige av Jamal El-Haj m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1994 — Förnybar energi till havs av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2056 — Inhemsk biodrivmedelsproduktion av Isak From och Monica Haider (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2240 — Tydligare handlingsplan för vätgas av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2358 — Energipolitik för hela landet av Rose-Marie Carlsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2405 — Vindkraft av Lars Beckman (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2450 — En förstärkning av det civila försvaret och krisberedskapen av Emma Berginger m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:2453 — Ledarskap för klimat och grön omställning av Rickard Nordin m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2456 — Krisberedskap och utveckling av militärt och civilt försvar av Mikael Larsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2458 — En folkrörelse för klimatet av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament