A year of advancing the energy transition with clients across Europe

Published on: January 18, 2024

In 2023, Sweco continued its commitment to support sustainable energy infrastructure and resilient societies by being selected to participate in diverse energy projects with clients across Europe. From climate roadmaps to significant transmission line expansions in Sweden, Denmark and Germany, Sweco played a pivotal role in enhancing energy efficiency, supporting renewable energy transitions and contributing to climate resilience. Other notable client projects include a carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant and collaborations with international partners in Mozambique, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK.

Here is a selection of energy and industry projects that Sweco was commissioned to support clients with during 2023.

Q1: Renewable energy and climate initiatives

During the first quarter, Sweco was selected to participate in several energy and climate-related projects, including two related to carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Renewable energy and electrification for Bayer Agriculture

In Belgium, Sweco was selected to provide technical consulting services for Bayer Agriculture, focusing on the development of a climate roadmap. The project aims to identify practical steps and viable technologies for reducing carbon emissions, examining renewable energy, electrification and alternative fuels.

Planning for Kraftringen’s new cogeneration plant

In Sweden, Kraftringen commissioned Sweco for pre-project planning and procurement of a new cogeneration plant in Örtofta. The project is intended to update existing heating systems and contribute to a more stable regional electricity supply. With an emphasis on sustainability, the plant’s design includes provisions for CCS and a selection of bio-based fuels. The plant is anticipated to commence operations in 2028 following the approval of the required investment by Kraftringen’s owning municipalities.

Supporting Heidelberg Materials’ CCS plant initiative

Sweco was also selected by Heidelberg Materials to assist with the permit application for a CCS plant in Slite, Gotland. The initiative represents a significant step towards climate change adaptation in Sweden. Sweco’s role includes environmental impact assessments and contributing to the plant’s feasibility study. The goal of the CCS plant is to capture and store around 1.8 million tons of CO2 per year by 2030, which could aid in reducing national emissions. This project, one of Sweden’s most comprehensive climate adaptation initiatives, is part of broader efforts within Sweden to meet climate targets in the construction sector by 2030.

Q2: Enhancing energy infrastructures and resilience

Overall, Q2 marked a period of future-proofing energy systems and supporting the transition to renewable energy across multiple regions. Sweco added several critical energy infrastructure projects, focusing on supporting the expansion of renewable energy production, improving transmission capacity and increasing climate resilience.

Swedish power line expansion

Sweco took on a major assignment from Svenska kraftnät, undertaking the design of two new parallel 400 kV overhead power lines spanning 100 kilometers between Tierp and Sigtuna municipalities. The project is an essential component in bolstering Sweden’s electricity supply, addressing the growing demands due to wind power expansion, nuclear decommissioning and overall increased consumption. The assignment will also include two shorter overhead line sections and the demolition of an existing 160-kilometer-long line, as part of an effort to ensure a secure and resilient electricity supply for the country.

“Ensuring the long-term and secure supply of electricity throughout Sweden is of utmost importance to support electrification and to create a resilient society that can meet the electricity needs both of individuals and of businesses,” Conny Udd, Division Manager for Energy and Industry at Sweco Sweden, said of the project.

Danish energy framework agreement

In Denmark, Sweco secured a significant eight-year framework agreement valued at SEK 390 million with Energinet, an independent public enterprise owned by the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities. As an advisor, Sweco will contribute to the development of a climate-neutral energy supply by providing environmental assessments on land.

Elbe-Lübeck power line in Germany

In Germany, Sweco was chosen by one of Europe’s largest grid operators as a planning partner for investigating the ideal routing for the Elbe-Lübeck power line, integral for transporting wind-generated electricity across the country. This SEK 223 million project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Mozambique’s energy resilience

Expanding our impact internationally, Sweco embarked on a mission to enhance the resilience of Mozambique’s national energy system against extreme weather events. This 12-month project, worth about SEK 5 million, involves assessing the current energy infrastructure and developing robust disaster management processes. Sweco’s experience in Mozambique, spanning over three decades, positions the company as a strategic partner in securing a resilient energy infrastructure for the state-owned Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM).

“Each year, Mozambique’s and EDM’s energy infrastructure is affected by extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones. Having Sweco as an advising partner is strategic in securing a national energy infrastructure that is more resilient,”
Marcelino Gildo Alberto, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDM, said of the partnership.

Q3: Strategic advisory in energy and infrastructure projects

The third quarter of the year marked a significant phase, with Sweco taking on major client projects across Europe, enhancing energy infrastructure while contributing to sustainable development.

The Rhein-Main-Link project in Germany

Sweco is contracted by Amprion to provide project management during the entire planning phase of the Rhein-Main-Link, an essential project for Germany’s energy goal to be climate-neutral by 2045. This connection will carry wind energy from the North Sea over a 600-kilometer corridor to Hessen, aiming to satisfy the Rhine-Main region’s increasing energy needs by 2033. Sweco is aiding Amprion in the collaborative management of the technical and environmental planning aspects, ensuring the project adheres to strict standards for timely delivery, quality and transparency.

Sweden’s electricity transmission system upgrade

Svenska kraftnät entrusted Sweco with a comprehensive review and upgrade of Sweden’s electricity transmission system, a project that spans until 2031 and is valued at just over SEK 50 million. The initiative involved a preliminary study, pre-planning and detailed project planning as well as geotechnical surveys of the 16,000 kilometers of overhead lines, crucial for the nation’s electricity supply. This project is critical for supporting the ongoing electrification of society and ensuring a reliable and modern electricity grid.

Volvo Cars’ renewable energy transition

In Belgium, Sweco has been contracted to support Volvo Cars’ transition towards utilising more renewable energy sources at its Ghent facility — which employs more than 7,000 people and produces 192,991 cars as of 2022 — by developing technical specifications for replacing three main transformers. This consultancy service aligns with Volvo’s goal to reduce carbon emissions and become climate-neutral by 2040. The project will continue until 2025.

Danish ports’ green energy analysis

Sweco was also commissioned by the Danish Transport Authority to analyze the availability of electricity and green fuels in 39 commercial ports. This analysis is part of the Ministry of Transport’s port map initiative, with a Sweco multidisciplinary team providing insights into the energy infrastructure in the ports to provide clarity on the need for green energy investments.

Anglian Water’s sustainable solutions framework

In the UK, Sweco partnered with Anglian Water to develop a framework for quantifying and analysing the value of sustainable solutions, such as nature-based options, in comparison to traditional engineering methods. Sweco’s role also includes identifying which processes, organizational capabilities, partners and suppliers are required to deliver such sustainable solutions and enable Anglian Water to meet future industry regulations.

Noordzeker’s Power-to-Gas plant feasibility study

Lastly, Sweco conducted a feasibility study for Noordzeker’s 500-megawatt Power-to-Gas plant, a project that aims to enhance the flexibility of the Netherlands’ energy system, reduce CO2 emissions and balance the electricity grid. The study included a concept design, technology review and risk assessment.

Q4: Framework agreements with Statnett

In Q4, Sweco secured important framework agreements with Statnett, Norway’s Transmission System Operator. The agreements, set for a four-year term with an option for extension, represent a significant partnership, with Sweco’s involvement estimated to exceed 500 MSEK.

Statnett is set to substantially increase investments in Norway’s transmission grid, a move that will help meet the country’s climate goals by facilitating the transition to renewable energy and supporting the electrification of various sectors.

Sweco is pleased to continue its collaboration with Statnett, aiming to reinforce Norway’s electricity supply and contribute to the country’s sustainable development.

“As Statnett plans to double the transmission grid investments in the coming years, we are very pleased to be able to continue our solid collaboration with them. We have systematically worked over time to build competence and capacity in this area, and are proud that we as a company are able to win such large contracts without subcontractors or partners. We are very well positioned to continue as a key supplier for Statnett, and look forward to contribute to develop a robust transmission grid for a sustainable future,” Elisabeth Baird, Division Director for Energy at Sweco Norway, said in a statement.