Electrification – a word we hear many times. But how often do we reflect on its importance?
When I go to work in Sundsvall, I often think about how crucial this time is – not only for those of us living here and now, but for our children and future generations. In my role as a sales manager at ABB, I get a unique insight into the importance of electrification for the future. Every project we undertake, every challenge we solve, is a step towards a stronger, greener and more resilient Sweden.
Electrification has become a buzzword, but at its core it is about our ability to transform our entire society. For Sweden to reach its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, we don’t just need small adjustments – we need a doubling of electricity use and an infrastructure that can meet the demands of the future. Northern Sweden has a crucial role to play here.
In Västernorrland, there is a budding confidence in the future linked to the green transition. We have the forest, we have a surplus of green energy and we have the projects. What will happen in Torsboda? Biorefinery at Östrand, Circulose, RES hydrogen investment in Ånge, wind farms and major investments in the electricity grid create jobs and strengthen our competitiveness, both nationally and internationally. We see that the transition is not only a climate issue, but also a business opportunity.
But development is not self-evident. If we continue as we are today, without taking the bold decisions required, we risk getting stuck in bottlenecks – in permit processes, lack of grid capacity and political uncertainty. Electrification requires cooperation across borders: between businesses, politicians, authorities and citizens. We in Västernorrland have shown that it is possible, but we need the whole country to join us. A long-term energy policy, without jerkiness and polarization, is crucial to unlock investments in both new production and grid infrastructure.
When I imagine northern Sweden in 2030, I see a region that is at the forefront of Europe’s energy landscape – a model of sustainable industry, innovation and resilience. I see a society where young people stay put, where new businesses emerge and where the green transition has also become a social success story.
The biggest threats I see are paralysis and short-termism. The greatest opportunities lie in our willingness to think long-term, to dare to invest, to see electrification as the catalyst it is. Not just for the environment, but for our entire future.
We in the north already know that we can. Now we need to continue to show the way.
Malin Ajax, Sales Manager ABB