Linking Renewable Energy to Rural Development - Middle Norrland, Sweden

Hydropower, biomass, and wind dominate the regional energy profile in Middle Norrland. Regional specialisation in energy is mirrored by the presence of locally-owned utilities, which provide the Middle Norrland economy with cheap energy and ancillary services.

The report has three main findings: i) Local communities can benefit from renewable energy when it is strategically linked to rural industries. ii) Local utilities owned by municipalities play a key role in renewable energy deployment, linking local resources to the energy business and reducing the cost of electricity. iii) There is a limited need for subsidies in the local energy system mainly thanks to the effective and profitable role of intermediate institutions such as co-operatives. iv) Ensuring that renewable energy provides local communities with tangible benefits improves social acceptance.