Huge Sweden-China co-op potential in greener, renewable energies

As major economies search for greener, renewable and more sustainable sources of energy supplies to construct environment-friendly societies and combat global warming, politicians, business and civil societies are having heated discussions on the energy transitions beyond 2020.

In a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua, Swedish Minister for Information Technology and Energy Anna-Karin Hatt said she saw huge potential and opportunities in Sweden-China cooperation.

"I see great potential. I am happy to see that we already have lots of co-operation between Sweden and China when it comes to bio-energy but also comes to sustainable cities," said Hatt.

"We are trying to develop fine technologies in Sweden that are about to building sustainable cities for the future with decreased transportation needs, with increased electricity and renewable usage in the cities, but also livable cities," she stated.

"And I think within our concepts of symbiotic cities, there are lots of technologies and lots of Swedish companies that are ready to help China meets the targets, not least when it comes to air pollution that China is striving to decrease," she added.

The minister believes Sweden and China are complementary in terms of green energy cooperation, and lessons and experiences of both can be shared effectively.

"We know that China has contributed a lot when it comes to decreasing the cost for solar PVs for example. We are on the same side and can help each other do this in a fast and cost-effective way and we can create sustainability and growth at the same time," said Hatt.

Already been seen with very high environment-protection standards, Sweden still pushes hard to be greener and more sustainable.

"We have come a great way already in Sweden. Today we have 51 percent renewable energy in our energy system which is due to that we have had political ambition to develop bio-energy, renewables, winds and solar and so forth, hydro power," the minister explained.

"In the long run to 2050, we are aiming at creating a carbon-neutral society. And as a step toward that goal, we are right now developing policy to make sure that our vehicle fleet can be fossil fuel independent by 2030," she added.

"We have done lots of transition within electricity production, within heating. And now we have to take on the great tasks to transform our transportation system to make sure that we can phase out fossil fuel, phase in electricity and renewable energy sources in the transportation system as well," she elaborated.

Hatt pointed out that, in this grand transition from fossil to greener and renewable sources, business profits and environment protection could both be achieved satisfactorily.

"You have to have clear ambitions and clear targets that are really long lasting, and also pointing out the direction in the long run. So the industry, researchers, society can see that this is the direction we are heading for and can develop good solutions, but you also have to provide right incentives and make sure that it is profitable to make sustainable choices," she stressed.

Minister Hatt visited China last October and was impressed by the bilateral cooperation in green energies and environment protection, which she was convinced would benefit greatly for both countries.

"I can see that day by day this co-operation is developing (not only) between governments but also between industries, business to business. We have lots of Swedish companies present in China while we also have companies from China present in Sweden," Hatt said.

The minister hoped the two countries can work together "developing new technologies, new knowledge" that can be used in Sweden and in China.