The Swedish regional energy agencies: past, present and future

Panel: 3. Local action

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Max Ohlsson, Swedish Energy Agency
Erika Strömvall, Swedish Energy Agency

Abstract

The Swedish Energy Agency is the responsible authority for energy and climate issues in Sweden and has been cooperating with the regional energy agencies in Sweden since 2003. The regional energy agencies, which are owned by county councils and/or municipalities, have played an important role in regional energy management. In this paper, we will highlight some aspects in the past and present collaboration between the Swedish Energy Agency and the regional energy agencies. Furthermore, representatives from relevant organisations will give their view on important aspects on the future collaboration. Since 2003, the regional energy agencies are responsible for coordinating the municipal energy and climate advisory service. The regional energy agencies were also appointed regional energy actors by the Swedish Energy Agency from 2004 to 2014. Since 2016, the mandate of the regional energy agencies at the regional level has been strengthened due to the new government decree on financial support for the advisory service which now gives them a more formal role. In addition, the collaboration within the National Regional Fund Programme has made them a formal partner to the Swedish Energy Agency. A role they have not possessed before. Both parties agree on that they wish for a deepened and developed collaboration in the future.