The energy perspective needs to be integrated into everything—from master plans to business strategies

It can sometimes feel as though the energy transition has lost momentum. The global situation is uncertain, priorities are shifting, and new issues are coming to the fore. But beneath the surface, intensive work is underway across the country—not least at the intersection of urban planning and industry’s growing demand for electricity.

At the same time, there is a growing understanding of what is actually needed to maintain momentum. This requires visionary energy plans based on clear projections, as well as bold politicians who dare to make decisive decisions even when uncertainty is high. Without long-term strategic choices, both industrial development and electrification risk being slowed down.

This became clear during the conference “The Energy Transition Is Underway: Energy Planning as Industrial Policy,” which brought together over 200 participants from across Sweden, from Gällivare in the north to Malmö in the south. Representatives from government agencies, municipalities, energy offices, and the business community gathered to discuss how energy planning has become a key factor in both the climate transition and industrial development.

Energy planning is taking on a greater role

For a long time, climate plans have been key tools for reducing emissions and setting the direction. They still are. But as electrification accelerates and industrial demand for electricity increases, energy planning has taken on a more strategic role.

“Planning for energy is no longer just about supply and production. It’s about land use, new developments, grid capacity, and power issues—and how all of these factors are interconnected,” says Fredrik Svartengren, head of the Energy Planning Unit at the Swedish Energy Agency.

The industrial transition is a key driver. New and existing industrial projects require large amounts of fossil-free electricity, often in areas where electricity generation is limited. This puts increased pressure on both the power grid and local planning, making it necessary to integrate energy considerations early on in urban planning.

A bridge between vision and reality

Energy planning has become a bridge between climate goals and concrete development. It places new demands on collaboration between municipalities, regions, government agencies, and the business community. At the same time, it requires new ways of working—a point that came up repeatedly during the conference—as siloed planning is no longer sufficient. The energy perspective needs to permeate everything from master plans to business strategies.

“That doesn’t mean the climate plans have outlived their usefulness. On the contrary, they still set the direction. But it is in energy planning that many of these issues are now being fleshed out and put into practice,” says Gustaf Zettergren, Head of Research and Industrial Transition, Västra Götaland Region.

A regional perspective is crucial

Krafttag i Väst Elsa was the first energy planning project approved by the Swedish Energy Agency. Today, similar initiatives are underway in several parts of the country, with a focus on strengthening the link between the energy system and regional development.

The conference highlighted in particular the need for a stronger regional perspective. Municipalities need to understand the big picture and their own role within it. Otherwise, there is a risk of planning correctly at the local level but incorrectly within the system

- Within Krafttag i Väst , the work has focused on creating precisely that big picture through a shared narrative about the energy system and a regional system overview. In Västra Götaland, it is clear that industry’s increased electricity demand and the potential for new electricity generation are not always located in the same place. This requires planning across municipal boundaries and clearer regional coordination, says Monique Wannding, Head of the Environment Department, County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland.

Both the County Administrative Board and the Västra Götaland Region play a key role in driving this work forward. At the same time, the industry needs to be involved early on in the planning processes, both as a stakeholder setting requirements and as a co-creator of solutions.

A key player in both the energy and industrial sectors

All in all, the trend points in a clear direction. Energy planning has become a central component of both urban planning and industrial policy. And in this context, the role of urban planners is more crucial than ever—they are our new superheroes in the energy transition, alongside courageous politicians.

The conference—Energy Transition Underway: Energy Planning as Industrial Policy—was held on April 14 in Gothenburg and organized in collaboration between the energy planning projectKrafttag i Väst Elsa* andEnergikontoren Sverige. The conference was co-funded bythe Swedish Energy Agency.

*Project participants: West Sweden Energy Agency of Innovatum Science Park), the Fyrbodal Municipal Association, the Borås Region, the Sjuhärad Municipal Association, the Gothenburg Region, the Skaraborg Municipal Association, the Västra Götaland Region, and the Västra Götaland County Administrative Board. Funded by the Swedish Energy Agency