Swedes may face “even worse” energy situation next winter: expert-Xinhua
A woman walks on a snowy road as a snow plow clears the road in Stockholm, Sweden on Nov. 21, 2022. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua)
Since the Swedish energy grid is interconnected with the rest of Europe, Sweden is also affected, especially the southern regions of the country, by high energy prices.
STOCKHOLM, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) — The energy situation will be even worse next winter in Sweden, an expert from the Energy Agency warned on Saturday.
Swedes, who have already experienced exceptionally high energy prices, can expect even higher prices next winter, Dagens Nyheter (DN) reported, citing Anders Wallinder, head of security of supply at the authority.
As a consequence of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Europe is trying to minimize its energy dependence on Russia. Before the conflict, 40 percent of the natural gas consumed in Europe was imported from Russia.
A citizen rides a bicycle on a road in Stockholm, Sweden on Nov. 21, 2022. (Photo by Wei Xuechao/Xinhua)
Before the winter of 2023/2024, Europe will therefore be dependent on shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US and the Middle East.
In addition to being significantly more expensive than natural gas, there are practical challenges, such as the fact that the current system is mainly based on imports from the east which would have to be replaced by terminals for transport coming from elsewhere, DN reported.
– This will work out, but it won’t be without problems, Wallinder said.
This photo taken on October 28, 2022 shows a pedestrian looking into Hogberg’s lighting shop in Stockholm’s Old Town. (Photo: Patrick Ekstrand/Xinhua)
Unlike many other European countries, Sweden’s dependence on gas is very small, according to the Energy Agency. Natural gas only accounts for 3 percent of total energy use.
But because the Swedish energy grid is interconnected with the rest of Europe, Sweden, especially the country’s southern regions, is also affected by high energy prices, according to the DN report. ■