No political demands on households and companies to cut back on energy

Several European countries have issued recommendations or requirements for energy-saving measures.

This has involved, among other things, switched off lighting, shorter showers and lower heat indoors.

In Sweden, there have so far been no official guidelines, but yesterday Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (S) said that the government wants authorities to start saving energy.

Today, the Moderates made a similar demand.

- All public businesses must review whether they can reduce electricity consumption in various businesses without harm, says party leader Ulf Kristersson (M).

No to coercive measures

On the other hand, it does not look like there will be any pressing requirements or measures for households and companies to save energy.

SVT has asked the parliamentary parties, and all say no to mandatory measures.

- No mandatory measures because I believe that Swedish households are already doing everything they can to reduce their electricity consumption.

There is no home owner in Sweden who makes a fire for the crows, says Ulf Kristersson.

- I think everyone wants to save as much energy as possible, because it affects the electricity bill dramatically.

That's why I don't believe in mandatory rules, but rather in encouragement, says the Center Party's party leader Annie Lööf.

The Minister of Energy does not rule out restrictions

The Minister of Energy, on the other hand, does not sound as convinced that there will be no restrictions or mandatory requirements.

- We don't see right now that we are there, but it may come, so I don't rule anything out, but hopefully we will be able to lower electricity prices, halve them by decoupling gas from electricity and with a high-cost protection to be able to provide security to households and companies, says the Minister of Energy Khashayar Farmanbar (S).

SD: "That Swedes have to freeze is madness"

SVT has also asked in general whether households and companies should cut down on energy consumption.

Most of the parties answered that it is good with lower consumption, but only the Center Party and the Green Party answered a clear yes.

The Center Party is considering whether public recommendations are needed.

- I think we should think about it.

Many other countries have taken the step in terms of public guidelines and recommendations similar to those they had during the pandemic, says Annie Lööf.

The Sweden Democrats, on the other hand, say no.

- You shouldn't waste energy, I think that's reasonable and that should be everyone's starting point.

But that Swedes should have to freeze, that older people should have to freeze, that children should have to freeze in school rooms because the Social Democrats have turned off nuclear power, I think that is madness, says party leader Jimmie Åkesson (SD).