‘A young market with large potential’

Novar, a provider of sustainable energy systems has expanded to Sweden. The Dutch company has set up in Gothenburg, where demand for green energy is increasing. 

The company is a market leader in the Netherlands, with large-scale projects for solar energy, energy storage and smart grids. It is currently expanding its presence in Europe, not least in Sweden. 

“Sweden is a young market for solar energy, with large potential and ambitious sustainability goals, where solar energy is an important part,” says Tomas Lundkvist, country manager for Sweden at Novar.

In   November 2023, the company established an office in Gothenburg, the country’s second largest city and a hub for manufacturing, logistics and electrification. 

“Gothenburg is one of the fastest growing regions in Sweden when it comes to renewables and there is a lot of competent people and companies in the region that we can connect with,” says Tomas Lundkvist. 

The focus in Sweden initially is on building solar parks in sizes from 20 hectares and up. Novar leases the land, builds the projects and offers smart management once the system is operational. 

“The start in Sweden has gone well. We are surpassing our goals already now during the first operating year. New customers seem to appreciate Novar as an innovative and long-term partner,” says Tomas Lundkvist. 

Demand for green electricity is rising

Electrification is seen as an important pathway for reducing carbon emissions from energy. According to RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden needs to improve energy efficiency and increase its electricity production significantly by 2050 in order of secure the electrification of society and industry.  

In Gothenburg and West Sweden, the need for electricity is expected to rise from 18TW in 2022 to 57 TW in 2045, shows a report from Region Västra Götaland, the county administrative board and the state-owned authority Svenska Kraftnät.

A large share of this increase is being driven by electrification and the green transition of industries, including the large chemicals and refinery industry located here on the west coast. Two large-scale and energy intensive battery factories will also be operational in the coming years. 

“In the future, both products and manufacturing need to be carbon neutral, if we are to meet our climate targets. Gothenburg and West Sweden aim to lead this transition. This is creating opportunities for companies, such as Novar, who can play a role in expanding the region’s renewable energy production and improving energy efficiency,” says Hans Larsson, investment advisor for green tech at Business Region Göteborg, who has helped facilitate Novar’s investment in Sweden. 

Gothenburg facts

• The City of Gothenburg aims to have near-zero emissions by 2030.
• The Port of Gothenburg, the largest in Scandinavia, is among the most sustainable ports in the world.  
• Industry accounts for around 40% of the total greenhouse emissions in Gothenburg's county, Västra Götaland.
• The county uses fossil fuels for over 50% of its energy consumption.
• 120,000 people are employed in West Sweden’s manufacturing sector (Västra Götaland County).
• Gothenburg was recently selected as one of ten mentor cities in a smart city initiative run by the European Commission. Gothenburg will support 65 other European cities in the art of strengthening innovation in the green transition.
• Sweden has topped the World Economic Forum’s Energy Transition Index nine years in a row.

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