Reflections from Almedalen 2025
We thank Gotland for once again letting us borrow Visby for an Almedalen week with many great meetings! Weather-wise some of the coldest days at the beginning of the week, but it was offset by a warmer and positive spirit among all participants.
Hydrogen Sweden’s panel discusses on the theme “From words to investment – how to boost the hydrogen market in Sweden? Mikael Razola, Gotland Tech Development, Åsa Lyckström, Siemens Energy, Axel Alm, Hyrizeon, Christer Wikner, Metacon, Monica Haider, (S) and Björn Aronsson, Vätgas Sverige.
The democratic role and development of Almedalen Week
Almedals Week is always questioned, and rightly so, but it is a fantastic place and arena for many meetings in a short time. Almedals Week has changed dramatically over the years that we have participated. A few years ago, it was much larger parts of society that participated, to the fact that it has shrunk in recent years with expensive travel, expensive accommodation and expensive food. This has meant that many have had to reprioritize and refrain from participation and that in itself is not a good development for democracy. Despite these conditions, it is still possible to use money wisely and not spend more than you need to access this still fantastic meeting arena.
Focus on energy issues and panel participation
The good atmosphere during this year’s Almedalen Week was highlighted by many. There were many sessions and round-table discussions on energy issues. Many had set security, security of supply, preparedness and resilience as themes for the sessions. Unfortunately, too often you saw the same people in the different panel discussions, so it would have been more interesting to have more different people discussing these topics. This was probably an effect of the fact that few parliamentary politicians were present, so they had to fill in on many sessions. However, we could see relatively many local politicians in place and it was gratifying that they are engaged in the issues, because they are affected by the initiatives that are taking place and will take place.
Threats and opportunities in the energy debate
Both threats and opportunities were highlighted in the wide-ranging energy debate. The low price of electricity and unclear information about grid connections are scaring away investors. Finland was repeatedly highlighted as a model that has solved some of these challenges. The low price of clean energy and the products that can be made from it should be seen as an asset. We are missing the debate on the opportunities that should follow from these conditions and how this energy can lead to multiple low-carbon products in different sectors and good export revenues. So more focus on what we can do with a cheap and clean kilowatt hour is desirable, more focus on the end product and end customer.
Then we need to get a change in the text for IKN (Non-Concessionary Networks). Industry and the responsible authority (Energy Market Inspectorate) agreed, but a few words in the government’s decision created ambiguity in the interpretation, so an effort is required here so that it does not limit hydrogen production.
Martin Olin, Energiföretagen, Anna Wallentin, Energigas Sverige and Björn Aronsson moderates at Arena Vätgas.
Risk sharing and investment conditions
While the starting point for Sweden is good, with clean energy still at good prices by international standards, further action is needed to make investments happen. Risk sharing was a recurring theme this week. What should risk sharing look like, not just between business actors but between government and business? A great deal of thought, research, courage and will are still needed to find a way forward. Despite this, there are undiminished efforts. In our dialog with various industry associations, we see that some projects are being postponed, but new ones are constantly being added, so there is no overall slowdown. It is therefore very important not to get caught up in the stream of negative alternative truths that we are constantly fed. We are now building new value chains and the new business models that go with them, and this presents a lot of challenges but also great opportunities.
Arena Vätgas is part of Energiföretagens Arena Energi.
We were pleased to see so many member organizations in attendance and you really took your place with many different passes and strong contributions in various panels and round-table discussions. Several new and also old directors general of our authorities were present. There were several good conversations about how we can continue to work together and move the country’s positions forward.
We are already looking forward to next year’s Almedalen Week and then it’s election year again!
Björn Aronsson, Executive Director, Hydrogen Sweden
