Strengthening Regional Energy Planning in Blekinge, Sweden

Image: Network meeting in Karlshamn where Helen Gårner shared her insights

In collaboration with Blekinge’s five municipalities, Region Blekinge, and the County Administrative Board, the Energy Agency Southern Sweden has launched a new intermunicipal energy planning network. The initiative aims to foster long-term strategic collaboration by sharing experiences and integrating regional and national perspectives into local energy planning.

Lessons from Sölvesborg:
A Pioneer in Local Energy Planning

Sölvesborg was the first municipality in Blekinge to adopt a new energy plan, with support from RECET. At the network’s inaugural meeting in Karlshamn, Helen Gårner, Environmental Coordinator and Energy Planning Lead in Sölvesborg, shared insights from their journey:

“Start with what you want to do—that’s how you get a concrete plan to work with,” she emphasized.

Helen highlighted the importance of action over perfection, noting that energy planning is a continuous process that evolves over time. She also credited Energy Agency Southern Sweden’s support—facilitating meetings, preparing materials, and leading workshops—as a key success factor.

Following the adoption of the energy plan, the Energy Agency Southern Sweden continued its support through energy coaching for local businesses as part of Energilyftet, a national initiative supporting companies in their energy transition. Through Energilyftet, 11 companies have signed energy and climate contracts with the municipality. The municipality’s role was limited to identifying this work as an action in the energy plan, helping connect local priorities with an existing, externally funded initiative.

Ongoing Exchange and Capacity Building

The network will convene 1–2 times annually, featuring guest speakers to enrich discussions and strengthen municipal energy planning. At the Karlshamn meeting, Anders Svedberg from the Swedish Energy Agency presented on the interplay between energy planning and broader municipal strategies.

This initiative is part of the RECET and GK Blekinge projects, co-funded by Life Clean Energy Transition (LIFE CET), Region Blekinge, and the Swedish Energy Agency.

Original article: https://energikontorsyd.se/a/utvecklar-engergiplaneringen-tillsammans