What conditions enables Sweden to use so much hydroelectricity?
Sweden is known for having an electrically intensive industrial sector mainly supplied by hydropower. Nonetheless, the expansion of the hydroelectric sector decreased considerably in Sweden during the 1950’s. This was particularly due to the fact that most of the rivers that could be exploited at a low cost were already producing electricity. The future of new hydropower facilities is uncertain: the Government set, in a 1998 environmental code in favor of nature conservancy, statutes protecting the main (and potentially usable in term of hydroelectricity) rivers of the country. On average, the Swedish hydropower industry currently generates 64 TWh/year.
