Förnybar energi. Sverige och den europeiska integrationen

Renewable energy sources constitute a key reason for Sweden to press for further integration within the European Union. There are two reasons for this. First, Sweden is suffering the effects of climate change and an increasing demand for fossil fuels just like any other European country. Second, Sweden sees a potential export market in an increasing demand for renewable energy technology. In my study, I analyze Sweden’s incentive for further European integration in this field by using integration theory, mainly liberal intergovernmentalism. I also delve deeper into the Swedish strategies and how they are linked to the theory of policy transfer. My main findings show that Sweden is rather active as a force within the integration process when it comes to renewables since it has nothing to lose, and that the strategies employed mostly correspond to the factors set up by policy transfer for a successful transfer. There is however a drawback to Sweden’s eager work to further integration. This is that it might lead to programs being forced upon other nations who are unable to handle them in the right way, which entails a risk of policy failure