Mundus Nordic Green News – 19 March, 2021

Norway releases National Transport Plan 2022-2033

Norway’s Government has released a new transport plan, declaring an ambition to halve emissions from the transport sector by 2030, compared with 2005. Between 2012 to 2019, emissions from transport have decreased by about 15%, due to the use of biofuels and more electric vehicles, 

It is assumed that new passenger cars and light vans will be zero-emission vehicles in 2025, new city buses will be zero-emission vehicles or use biogas by 2025, and by 2030 that 75% of new long-distance buses and half of new trucks will be zero-emission vehicles.

The Government plans increased taxes on greenhouse gas emissions, further developing the turnover requirements for biofuels, using purchasing power for the public sector to promote zero- and low-emission solutions and continuing with the investment in a green transition through support schemes. Included in the plan is a budget of NOK 120 million a year for research. (press release)

Swedish Energy Agency publishes long-term modelling

The Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) has released the results of its long-term models. The main conclusions of the report were that demand for biofuels is expected increase to 2030, due to tightening of the reduction obligation system for petrol and diesel. The demand for renewable aviation fuel is also expected to increase in aviation. Electricity use is expected to increase sharply, due to the implementation of climate goals, causing a shift from fossil fuels to electricity

Electricity Scenarios

The Agency analysed 6 different scenarios for the development of the electricity system up to 2050. In all cases, Sweden is forecast to be a net exporter of electricity, on an annual basis [Ed: this will be a notable achievement, given the demand growth forecast.]

But there are large difference between the different scenarios. The highest net exports occur in an “Electrification Scenario”, with 47 TWh, while in a “Lower Energy Prices” scenario exports are only 8 TWh, because then fossil power becomes more competitive.

Nuclear lives on

The Agency assumes that nuclear power will remain in the electricity system. In the Electrification Scenario, society is assumed to be electrified to a high degree and at a rapid pace, at the same time as changed policy instruments stimulate the use of biofuels. The Electrification scenario is assumed to lead to a higher electricity price, which make it profitable to build new nuclear power from 2045. Four reactors are expected to be built and the new nuclear power is estimated to account for 32 TWh in 2050. (Energimyndigheten, MSN)

Charge Amps is preparing for expansion and listing, with Swedbank Robur investing SEK 150 million

Sweden’s Charge Amps manufactures software, charging boxes and other accessories for charging electric cars. The company is now positioning itself to be ready when the electric car market explodes in Europe. Swedbank Robur is to invest SEK 130 million. The company will use the money to strengthen its local presence in the Nordic region, Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, and to develop hardware and software. (Breakit)

Utvecklingsklustret Energi invests in Bright Energy

Jämtkraft's jointly-owned company, Utvecklingsklustret Energi AB has invested SEK 15 million in Bright Energy AB. Through Bright's open and data-driven, digital platform, energy companies such as Jämtkraft can offer their customers a range of services, including avoiding electricity use during the most expensive hours of the day. According to David Forsberg, founder and CEO of Bright “We are currently seeing a huge demand for our service. Therefore, it feels fantastic that with the help of the Development Cluster and Montel, we can scale up our business and take it to the rest of the Nordic region and Europe.” (Energipress)

What we’re reading

• Volkswagen is once again Germany’s most valuable public company (FT, paywall)
• Will Australia’s ‘hydrogen road’ to Japan cut emissions? (FT, paywall)
• Germany discussing hydrogen imports from Saudi Arabia, Australia and Canada (dagensmiljoteknik)

 

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