June 29, 2023
Unlike Germany, Sweden has turned its back on renewable energies and turned to nuclear power generation. They have now done this for the Swedes “Obvious Thing” that anyone concerned about CO2 would have done so in 1992 and opted for nuclear power. The country changed its goal from 100% renewable energy to 100% fossilfree by 2045. Sweden’s parliament has passed an amendment to its energy targets that will make the country 100% fossil fuel free by 2045. The change means nuclear power could be included in the government’s energy targets. The Swedish government voted to phase out nuclear power 40 years ago, but in June 2010 Parliament voted to repeal the scheme. The government elected last year wants to promote nuclear power.
Sweden tops the European Union’s list for the share of renewable energies, mainly biomass and hydropower. It was a star among renewable energies. “We need more electricity production, we need clean electricity
and we need a stable energy systemsaid the finance minister Elizabeth Svantesson. State concessionaire Vattenfall intends to build at least two small modular reactors and extend the useful life of existing reactors in the country. That’s not such a big change for Sweden, which 30 years ago relied on half hydro and half nuclear for its electricity. This new target only refers to fossilfree electricity, not to completely fossilfree energy use. Sweden still gets about 30% of its total energy from coal, oil and gas. But that won’t change.
The Swedish government, which took office in September last year, has cut subsidies for electric cars and also cut requirements for carbonneutral fuels in cars. She also campaigns for countries that want to keep their coalfired power plants on call. The coalition plans to reduce the blending of biofuels with petrol and diesel, which would result in higher CO2 emissions, a move that could mean Sweden misses its 2030 emissions targets. Sweden’s proposals to allow countries to expand subsidies for coalfired power plants were also met. The EU was concerned about this, while Stockholm also wanted Brussels to water down a landmark law aimed at restoring decaying natural habitats.