Sweden is on target to run entirely on renewable energy within the next 25 years

Sweden is planning to run entirely on renewable energy by 2040. 57% of the country’s power came from renewable sources in 2015.

The Swedish government is focusing on onshore wind power.

“We are not densely populated, we have a lot of good places to put land-based large-scale wind and there is large potential for that in Sweden,” said Ms Anne Vadasz Nilsson, Director General of the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate told Reuters.

Sweden is planning to use wind power to replace its nuclear energy facilities. The country’s 2040 goal for a totally renewable supply was set by the prime minister.

“Nuclear is quite an expensive energy source due to safety regulations and funding for long-term nuclear waste management among other things,” said Ms Vadasz Nilsson.

“Renewables, meaning large-scale wind in Sweden, on the other hand, are cheaper and cheaper to commission and to run. This together with low wholesale prices will make it less likely that new nuclear power plants will replace the remaining ones when they are phased out due to old age.”

Despite its progress, Sweden is still lagging behind Denmark. On a windy day in 2015 Danish wind farms produced 140% of the total power demand.

The excess capacity was exported to Germany, Norway, and Sweden.