Sweden today has a surplus of electricity in the north and a deficit in the south.

High-voltage lines transport up to 7,000 MW of electricity from north to south, which corresponds to approximately seven nuclear reactors.

But it's not enough.

- More transmission capacity is needed and we need more electricity production in the south, says Anders Ygeman to SVT.

The main network ready in 10 years

Svenska kraftnät is expanding the main grid, but full capacity is expected to take at least ten years.

SVT's survey shows that ten times more new wind power is planned in the north than in the south.

- There is a free electricity market in Sweden, the idea is that it should be economically advantageous to build where electricity is needed most, says Anders Ygeman.

Is it not the politicians' responsibility to ensure that the balance in the entire electricity system works?

- Yes, of course.

But apparently the control signals have been too weak.

Largest demand in the south

The control signals are precisely the four electricity price areas in Sweden that the EU has decided on, which makes electricity more expensive to the south where demand is greatest.

Still, it is in the north that new wind power is on the way.

The industry today sees more profitability in really large wind farms, with even higher wind speeds.

They are difficult to fit in southern parts of Sweden, if you do not build at sea.

Politics responsible for planning

Vattenfall already decided in 2015 that two nuclear power reactors in Ringhals would be closed in 2019 and 2020. Nevertheless, the authorities and the state have not developed new pipelines or new electricity production in the south.

The Minister of Energy admits shortcomings:

- Obviously more coordination was needed, says Anders Ygeman.

The government has proposed that the state pay connection costs for offshore wind power.

This will facilitate large-scale offshore wind power in southern and central Sweden.

But according to Vattenfall, it will still take upwards of 10 years before new offshore wind farms can supply electricity.

The Minister of Energy is more optimistic.

- I think they will come soon.

We will step by step see more offshore wind power in Sweden, believes Anders Ygeman.