Lina Håkansdotter at the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise writes in a reply to our debate article that it is a bad idea to invest in offshore wind power because Sweden already has a surplus of electricity.

We believe that the conditions created for new electricity production today are central to meeting the expected increased need for emission-free electricity tomorrow.

In the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s project Power collection electricity supply, it is estimated that electricity use in Sweden could increase by 70 TWh by the 2040s. It requires an expansion of electricity production corresponding to that made by hydropower after World War II or by nuclear power in the 1970s and 1980s. At present, wind power is the most cost-effective and realistic alternative for a large-scale expansion.

That society promotes technology that is needed to renew the electricity system and meet new needs is nothing new – it has occurred for all types of power. This may be temporary. The electricity certificate system, which was largely behind the expansion of onshore wind power, has, for example, played its role nine years ahead of schedule and onshore wind power is now being built without support.

Håkansdotter admits that we “will need more wind power in the electricity system of the future to meet the sharply increased electricity use” but believes that “it is not needed now”. At the same time, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s own report states that the electricity surplus may be eaten up by the increased electricity use already around 2030.

It is important to point out that there are long lead times for offshore wind power. A message from the government about abolished connection costs creates predictability for market players today, but new electricity production from offshore facilities will not be built on a large scale until the second half or end of the 2020s.

The electrification of industry and transport must go hand in hand with increased electricity production if Sweden is to cope with the transition at home. Increased electricity production is also central for Sweden to continue to be a net exporter of electricity. The electricity that is not immediately needed to meet the increased electricity use makes direct and extensive climate benefit by displacing coal power in our neighboring countries.

The abolition of connection costs for offshore wind power is part of the broad the energy agreement, where, among other things, the power tax on nuclear power was abolished, and should be implemented in its entirety. Energy Commission also emphasized that abolished connection costs are required to create a level playing field between the Baltic Sea countries.

Building offshore wind power has several advantages. The winds are strong and stable, the capacity factor is high and the powerful turbines mean that an offshore wind farm can have as much installed power as a nuclear power plant. In addition, the sea-based parks are planned around the southern half of Sweden, where electricity consumption and demand are greatest.

Offshore wind power will be a central part of the future electricity supply according to both the EU and the IEA. But other parts of the electricity system must also be given priority: The grid capacity needs to be expanded so that the electricity reaches the consumers. Technology for energy storage should be developed rapidly, as well as market models for support services that ensure the stability of the electricity system.

In the future, it will become increasingly clear that Sweden’s competitiveness is determined by our ability to offer renewable electricity on a large scale. The government should therefore stick to previous promises and create conditions for a comprehensive expansion of offshore wind power. We can not afford to lose further momentum.

Linda Burenius, Chairman of the Board, Swedish Wind Energy
Fredrik Andrén Sandberg, regional lead regulatory affairs, RWE Renewables
Olle Hedberg, vd, wpd Offshore Stockholm AB
Paul Stormoen, vd, OX2
Ulrik Stridbæk, vice president, head of regulatory affairs, Ørsted
Pia Pehrsson, lawyer, Foyen Law Firm
Henrik Baltscheffsky, vd, Hexicon
Claes Westerlind, executive vice president, NKT HV Cables AB
Mattias Wärn, CEO, Svea Vind Offshore