Sweden

Country: Sweden

Document type: National Strategy

Title: Proposal for Sweden’s national strategy for hydrogen, electrofuels and ammonia (Swedish Energy Agency – original language version)

Released: May 2022

Summary Points:

The proposal is based on the potential role of hydrogen in the energy system. Based on this, planning targets for electrolyser capacity are proposed for 2030 and 2045 in order for the production and use of hydrogen to meet the potential. The proposal also contains measures that need to be implemented in order for the use of fossil-free hydrogen to contribute to achieving fossil-free energy by 2045 at the latest.

The Swedish Energy Agency proposal involves a two-phase approach, with a planning total of 10 GW of hydrogen electrolyser capacity proposed by 2045, of which 5 GW is implemented in the first phase by 2030.

It is reported these capacities would correspond to a need for fossil-free electricity of 22-42TWh in the first phase, increasing to 66-126TWh by 2045.

A background knowledge-sharing report complements the proposed strategy and contains descriptions of opportunities, obstacles and expected changes in the energy system, as well as descriptions of the current situation and analyses based on, among other things, technology, system perspectives and the physical properties of hydrogen.

In January 2024, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) announced they would take part in the project finance deal to support H2 Green Steel’s large-scale production facility in Northern Sweden. The EIB would contribute €314 million, of which €200 million is backed by a guarantee from the European Commission under the InvestEU programme, and €114 million of intermediated financing is to be provided through commercial banks participating in the project financing. The NIB would provide €57 million to the project finance package, of which €9 million is supported under InvestEU.

In June 2024, the EC approved, under EU State aid rules, a €265 million Swedish measure to support H2GS AB in setting up a large-scale green steel plant, including the construction of:

  • an electrolyser system with a capacity of 690 MW
  • a direct reduction plant operating with renewable hydrogen;
  • two electric arc furnaces, and cold rolling and finishing facilities.

The installations are envisioned to start operating in 2026, and the aid will take the form of a direct grant of €265 million.

 

Reviewed: July 2024