Behind Sweden's bold plan to halve energy growth, then halt it altogether

Journal Article · Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1976 · Energy Res. Rep.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7264058

This interview with Mr. Lonnroth was conducted on June 4 and updated July 5. Mr. Lonnroth served as an adviser to the Prime Minister in formulating a portion of the energy policy that passed Parliament in May, 1975. The goal for energy use in Sweden is to reduce the growth of energy demand from 4.5 percent annually to 2.0 percent by 1985. This demand control is coupled to a supply program that includes a marginal increase in nuclear reactors to a total of 13 from the planned 11. An attempt will be made to maintain a constant petroleum consumption rate. Emphasis is on conservation with many government funds available for retrofitting existing buildings. The energy supply pattern is being transformed from one presently based on oil and hydropower to one ten years from now on oil, hydropower, and nuclear. Swedish cities have invested heavily in district heating systems and their success is discussed. In discussing the international impact of balancing energy supply and demand, Mr. Lonnroth points out that decreasing energy demand is a policy of internal affairs while increasing oil supply is a foreign-policy question. He feels that the country with the most difficulty managing its internal affairs (the U.S.) has the most leverage in increasing its own oil supply, making for a very unstable situation. (MCW)

• OSTI ID: 7264058
• Journal Information: Energy Res. Rep.; (United States), Vol. 2:8; Other Information: Interview with Mans Lonnroth, project leader of an energy-policy study in the Secretariat for Future Studies
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
SWEDEN
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY POLICY
USA
COMMUNITIES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONSUMPTION RATES
DISTRICT HEATING
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SUPPLIES
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT
PLANNING
EUROPE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
SCANDINAVIA
298000* - Energy Planning & Policy- Consumption & Utilization
293000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation