Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has received guarantees at the EU summit in Brussels that Swedish bottleneck fees will only fund expansion of the Swedish electricity grid. The funds will not be used for European projects. Meanwhile, the EU emissions trading system is defended against calls for changes.
At the EU summit in Brussels on March 19–20, 2026, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) received guarantees regarding Swedish bottleneck fees. These arise from large differences in electricity prices within Sweden and are intended to fund grid expansion or compensate consumers. An EU proposal sought to allocate 25 percent to projects for the common European electricity grid, which Sweden opposed since not all countries have price zones generating such revenues. The joint statement affirmed a 'flexible approach to domestic bottleneck revenues,' eliminating the risk of 25 percent going to Europe, according to Kristersson. 'Our right to decide over bottleneck fees in Sweden is secured. They shall be used to connect our grids in Sweden, just as originally intended. Other countries will not be able to claim them. It is explicitly stated,' he said during a break at the meeting. The summit was overshadowed by high energy prices due to wars in the Middle East, including the US and Israel's war against Iran and Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz as well as a gas facility in Qatar. Gas prices have doubled since the war began three weeks ago and are at the highest level since 2022. 'All of Europe is currently panicked by the gas price,' Kristersson said. Several countries, including Poland, Italy, Austria, and seven others, demand a review of the emissions trading system (ETS), with Italy advocating its complete abolition. Sweden defends ETS: 'Fundamentally, we see the ETS system as a success and an important tool for the future too.' A review of ETS is planned for summer 2026. Kristersson noted that many countries are severely affected by gas prices: 'Many countries are very gas-affected and are in a very bad position.' Sweden has become independent of oil and gas for electricity production.
