Hassler Report: A Good Start, But Details Matter

Energy company Fortum Oyj has commented on the climate strategy report commissioned by the Swedish government and prepared by John Hassler. Fortum considers the report's proposal for more active state steering and long-term goals a welcome development, marking a departure from the previous market-driven approach.

The company agrees with the report's emphasis on clarifying that the energy system is of overarching societal interest and notes the increased need for societal support for the impacts of new power production. Fortum highlights the important social dimension of sustainability, which may have been underestimated in Sweden.

Fortum sees the proposed shift towards a more coordinated, active promotion policy as positive, citing successful applications in areas like onshore wind power development. However, the company also points to the financial implications of such policies, stressing that taxpayers should not ultimately bear the risk and that solutions must be commercially viable over time.

While generally welcoming the report's perspective, Fortum suggests that more explicit details are needed regarding aspects such as national emissions trading and electricity taxes. The company looks forward to contributing to the concrete implementation of the report's various points.