Foreword

In 2019, the Nordic Prime Ministers adopted a vision for Nordic co-operation: The Nordic Region is to be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. Co-operation under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers serves this purpose, and it also constitutes the overarching vision for energy co-operation. 

The sustainable transition of the Nordic societies will not be possible without a considerable energy transition, and this is something that Nordic co-operation can facilitate. The Nordic Region has ample experience with constructive energy co-operation and although it is comprised of different countries, it is a unique community that co-operates in a targeted way to support the development of the best possible sustainable solutions and address common challenges.

The Nordic countries all have strong energy systems and are far advanced when it comes to tackling climate change. We have different prerequisites and priorities, but many challenges and opportunities are common to the entire Nordic Region, and we support common ambitions.  Climate change means that all parts of society will need to undergo a transition for a more sustainable future. At the same time, the Nordic Region must also contend with a new geopolitical reality that affects the security and supply chains of its nations. The energy transition will require the development of new technologies, and this is an area in which the Nordic Region has already proven itself to be a leading player globally. The strong positions of the Nordic countries within the field of energy are an important prerequisite for the economic growth and competitiveness of the region.

At the same time, it is central to our co-operation that we work to ensure that Nordic energy consumers have a secure supply of fossil-free energy at the lowest possible cost, delivered by a system that pays regard to local communities, the environment and nature. 

With this co-operation programme for the 2025–2030 period, the Nordic Council of Ministers for Energy (MR-Vækst/Energi) seeks to prioritise initiatives in those areas within which co-operation can secure a better and more sustainable energy transition than what the countries could achieve individually. Special focus will be placed on

The goal is to have a strong level of energy co-operation that can maintain and bolster the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of the Nordic countries, thereby facilitating attainment of the vision for the Nordic Region to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.

Happy reading!

Ebba Busch, Swedish Minister for Energy, Business and Industry, and Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Ebba Busch
Swedish Minister for Energy, Business and Industry

Karen Ellemann
Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers