The starting point for Swedish energy policy must be to strengthen Swedish competitiveness and to really address the climate challenges.
We need a change to secure the conditions for a sustainable and reliable supply system in the future. Therefore, new discussions are required between all parliamentary parties on energy policy and a new Energy Agreement 2.0.
The energy agreement of the time of 2016 solved some acute problems by lowering the tax on nuclear power and hydropower.
At the same time, new ones were created by the practice of banning nuclear power after 2040. That was the main reason why the Liberals stood outside the agreement.
Nor does it solve the problems that we now face . The energy agreement cannot form the basis of tomorrow's energy policy in an increasingly electricity-intensive future. The Moderates and the Christian Democrats have also realized this.
Both parties now open to leave the agreement, and it is high time that the Social Democrats come to the same insight.
Historically, electricity supply in Sweden has been reliable. Every electricity customer and company has been able to feel confident that the electricity grid has been able to supply whatever the need for electricity. The system has also managed to connect new customers. None of this is any obvious anymore.
Today, companies cannot expand due to electricity shortages. The bakery company Pågen in Malmö postpones the plans for expansion because the company cannot get enough electricity.
The ventilation company Lindab has also given up development and investments in Sweden because securing electricity supplies was not possible. Instead, the company has chosen to invest in our neighboring countries. This is harmful to Sweden as a welfare country.
When electricity demand is greatest during the winter Sweden is forced to import coal-fired electricity. Few things are worse for the climate than supporting electricity production based on coal-fired power plants.
The situation is unsustainable now, and will worsen in the future as electricity demand increases. The forecasts are somewhat disjointed, but electricity use in Sweden appears to increase corresponding to annual production of nuclear power.
Historically, concern for the environment and concern for competitiveness have also tended to oppose each other, at least in the rhetoric. So it doesn't have to be anymore.
Both industry and the climate require more electricity. The electricity has a central part in the transition from the fossil to the fossil-free. For the sake of climate, we need to electrify roads, cars and an increasingly electricity-intensive industry. These are necessary future investments for our growth and the labor market, for the climate and the environment.
They must not be hindered by the insufficient supply of electricity.
In Sweden, we have undertaken to reach net zero emissions by 2045 and through the Paris agreement pushed us to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. There are major commitments that are impossible to achieve if we do not electrify our transport and supply them with fossil-free electricity.
The energy policy of the future must be based on the needs and ensure that we can handle the change. Today's energy agreement means that nuclear power as fossil-free base power must be phased out. The consequence is that the conversion either cannot be carried out due to electricity shortages or leads to errors with increased imports of fossil energy sources.
We therefore call on Parliament's parties to make new , concrete and important discussions for a new Energy Agreement 2.0. Sweden needs a plan for how to increase electricity generation. Such calls must be made without shadows and prejudices about different types of energy.
The Liberals want to see a Sweden where both growing cities , a vibrant countryside and fossil-free transport are accommodated. We also want to see a Sweden where we reach the climate goals while strengthening Swedish competitiveness.