Swedish Energy Agency proposes measures to strengthen district heating

The Swedish Energy Agency has submitted two reports to the government proposing measures to strengthen district heating and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The proposals aim to increase security of supply for heating and cooling while enhancing the resilience of the energy system.

Key recommendations include reducing the energy tax on electricity used for heat pump and electric boiler production. Industry representatives, including Energiföretagen and E.ON, have welcomed this suggestion, noting it would allow for more flexible production and reduced fuel dependency by utilizing electricity when availability is high.

Additional proposals involve changing how emissions from fossil waste are accounted for, shifting responsibility to the waste producers rather than the heating companies. The agency also highlighted the potential for increased use of primary forest fuels and called for a review of building energy performance regulations. Industry leaders emphasized that these measures are critical for maintaining heat supply to households and essential services like hospitals during crises.