The study involved a literature review, expert interviews, and quantitative analysis. While Sweden has focused on expanding wind and solar power, hydropower capacity has remained largely unchanged despite its role in balancing the energy grid.
Key findings:
Sweden’s hydropower plants could increase capacity by 4000MW, a 24% boost to current levels.
Enhanced capacity could support an additional 800–1200MW of wind power integration.
Major obstacles include permit reassessments, altered water flow approvals, and financial viability for plant owners.
The report emphasises the need to explore hydropower expansion, identifying three key methods:
Turbine upgrades – Improving flow rate and efficiency by replacing parts or entire turbines.
Power unit upgrades – Replacing turbines, generators, and related equipment to increase capacity.
New power units – Installing additional units in stations designed for future expansion.
With electricity demand expected to rise, hydropower remains critical to Sweden’s energy strategy. The study calls for further investigation into regulatory and financial barriers to unlocking its full potential.
