OES Annual Report 2012 - Ocean Energy Systems

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04 / COUNTRY REPORTS
SWEDEN
Maja Wänström
The Swedish Energy Agency
INTRODUCTION
During 2012, ongoing Swedish research, development and demonstration efforts related to ocean energy
have continued to progress. While the financial climate and the high costs related to new energy conversion
technology constitute challenges for developing companies, the area of ocean energy conversion has
attracted the attention of universities and technical research institutes. Access to public funding remains vital
to all stages of the ocean energy research and innovation process in Sweden.
The forefront of Swedish ocean energy technology development and demonstration is the consented 10 MW
wave power demonstration project at Sotenäs, which commenced late 2011. During 2012, the developer
Seabased Industry AB has undertaken preparation activities for site development, wave energy converter
construction and grid connection for the first 1 MW phase of the demonstration park.
OCEAN ENERGY POLICY
Strategy and National Targets
The Swedish energy policy is based on the same foundations as energy cooperation in the EU and seeks
to reconcile environmental sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply. The vision is that by 2050
Sweden has a sustainable and resource efficient supply of energy and no net emissions of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere.
In order to realize the vision and implement the EU Renewables Directive, the following national target for
renewable energy and efficient use of energy in Sweden by 2020 has been set:
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The share of renewable energy in 2020 should be at least 50%of total energy use.
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The share of renewable energy in the transport sector should also be at least 10%.
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A further goal is 20% more efficient energy use in 2020, expressed as a reduction in energy intensity of
20% between the years 2008-2020.
During 2012, EU member states have for the first time reported their performance under the Renewables
Directive. The forecast in Sweden’s report shows that the country is in line to achieve its target by a slight
margin.
Support Initiatives and Market Stimulation Incentives
Fundamental to the long-term Swedish energy policy are general economic policy instruments such as
carbon tax, international emissions trading and tradable certificates for renewable electricity. From the
perspective of ocean energy technology development, the renewable electricity certificate system (a
tradable green certificate system) is the most relevant policy instrument.
The electricity certificate system is a market-based support system for cost-effective expansion of electricity
production from renewable sources. By design, the system does not specifically target a particular
renewable electricity conversion technology, i.e. is technology neutral. Electricity certificates are issued to
those who produce electricity from one or more renewable energy sources, or from peat, and who have had
their production plants approved by the Swedish Energy Agency. To date, certificates have been issued to