Sveaskog and Alight Unite to Power Sweden’s Renewable Future with 2GW Solar Partnership
Swedish state forest owner Sveaskog has teamed up with solar developer Alight in a groundbreaking partnership to develop 2GW of solar power over the next five years. This ambitious initiative marks a significant step towards addressing Sweden’s electricity deficit, particularly in the central and southern regions (SE3 and SE4), which are in dire need of renewable energy expansion.
The first phase of this collaboration involves two major solar projects: a 150-hectare solar park in central Sweden and a 70-hectare park in the south. These projects aim to boost renewable electricity production where it’s needed most, bridging the gap and reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. Within this long-term partnership, Alight will be at the helm, developing, building, and co-owning these solar arrays on Sveaskog’s land.
Sveaskog, the country’s largest forest owner, is not only providing land but also committing to co-invest between 30% and 49% in these solar parks. They will also bring their expertise in sustainable management to the table, ensuring that the development process is not just effective but also environmentally responsible. Sveaskog’s commitment to renewable energy reflects their broader mission to create value from Sweden’s vast forest resources.
“Investing in solar power on our land is a natural step for us as a large landowner and a way to contribute to the energy transition and the future need for fossil-free energy sources,” says Erik Brandsma, CEO of Sveaskog. “Alight will be a stable partner for us in this work.”
Sveaskog’s vast holdings cover about 14% of Sweden’s forests, totaling roughly 3.4 million hectares, with 3 million hectares classified as productive forest land. A mere 10,000 hectares—just 0.2% of Sveaskog’s land or 0.04% of Sweden’s total forest land—converted into solar parks could produce around 5GW of renewable energy. This output would more than double Sweden’s current installed solar capacity, illustrating the immense potential of this strategic venture.
Harald Överholm, CEO of Alight, emphasizes the speed and cost-effectiveness of solar power as a solution to the climate crisis: “Solar power is a fast and affordable solution to combat the climate crisis, especially given Sweden’s increasing demand for renewable electricity.” He also praised Sveaskog’s commitment to sustainability and their shared vision of balancing ecological, economic, and social values through these projects.
This partnership is more than just a business venture; it is a vital move towards a sustainable energy future for Sweden, leveraging the power of nature and innovative technology to drive change. #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Sustainability #GreenEnergy #Sweden #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition #Sveaskog #Alight #SolarProjects #ForestManagement #CleanEnergyFuture #PartnershipForThePlanet