Trade mission ‘Energy Transition’ with Minister Klever to Sweden and Finland
4 November @ 09:00 - 8 November @ 16:00
Is your company active in the energy transition and would you like to explore your opportunities to do business or invest in Sweden and/or Finland? Consider joining this economic mission to Sweden and Finland! The first part of the visit is led by Reinette Klever, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development. The chairman of VNO-NCW (Ingrid Thijssen) is the delegation leader.
During the mission you will have the opportunity to establish and expand your network at a high level. Additionally, you can sign e.g. contracts, a declaration of intent or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of the Minister, which will provide extra visibility to your project or investment.
Opportunities for Dutch companies
During this mission, Dutch companies, knowledge institutions and organizations can:
- gain insights into the Swedish and Finnish markets;
- investigate market opportunities in Sweden and Finland;
- strenghten existing contacts in Sweden and Finland; and
- getting in touch with potential Swedish and Finnish business partners, clients and/or governments.
For whom?
This economic mission is open to Dutch companies, knowledge institutions and organizations active in the following areas in energy transition:
- hydrogen;
- battery technology; and
- wind energy.
Are you an business woman with international ambitions? The government is committed to more diversity and therefore specifically encourages female entrepreneurs to take the international step through the Growth across Borders campaign.
Companies that are doing business internationally are more productive, more innovative and more successful. By joining this mission you will expand your network and increase your international opportunities.
Why participate?
Market opportunities in Sweden and Finland
Sweden and Finland are two of the world’s most prosperous and innovative countries. Their economy offers a wide range of market opportunities. Both countries have a favorable investment climate and promote international cooperation.
This makes the countries attractive markets for companies that:
- want to expand their activities in Europe; and/or
- want to enter into innovation collaborations.
Market opportunities for the energy transition
The Nordic region is known for its leading position in renewable energy. The countries in this region have played a pioneering role in sustainable energy production since the early 20th century. Sweden has ambitious goals for sustainability and climate neutrality. This offers opportunities for companies that offer innovative solutions to accelerate the energy transition.
In Finland, nuclear energy and wind energy are the main energy suppliers. The use of wind energy in particular has increased significantly and is still growing.
Market Opportunities in hydrogen
Hydrogen is a key component of the Nordic region’s green energy transition. Dutch, Swedish and Finnish companies can collaborate on technological innovation, research and knowledge exchange. This makes it possible to build sustainable hydrogen value chains together.
Green electricity and water are widely available in Sweden. Just like low electricity prices and a hydrogen ecosystem with public and private partnerships. It is not without reason that Sweden produced the first fossil-free steel.
The expected increase in hydrogen production for the sustainability of industrial processes and transport offers opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs. Think of electrolysis, infrastructure and storage.
Finland aims to produce at least 10-15% of Europe’s zero-emission hydrogen by 2030. There is no major gas network in Finland.
Dutch companies can add significant value to:
- infrastructure development;
- safety;
- electrolysis equipment; and/or
- sharing experiences from the successful hydrogen valleys.
Market Opportunities in wind energy
Sweden and Finland offer optimal opportunities for the development of both onshore and offshore wind energy.
In Sweden there is continued growth of onshore wind energy. This offers opportunities for Dutch companies. The trade association expects that capacity will increase by approximately 1,000 MW annually until 2026. The growth rate is slightly lower than in the record years. Nevertheless, the expansion of wind energy in Sweden remains an important market development with great potential for investment and cooperation.
Currently, 443 TWh of electricity production is being developed via offshore wind farms. The Swedish government has 22 projects in preparation. There are long-term opportunities for Dutch companies in offshore wind energy. This is due to a shortage of large offshore construction companies and suppliers in Sweden.
The world’s first offshore wind farm in frozen sea conditions is already operational in Finland. More tenders for offshore wind farms are currently open for international competition.
To realize the ambitious plans for offshore wind energy, international expertise is needed in the areas of:
- seabed studies;
- different phases in construction;
- ships;
- port infrastructure; and/or
- the sustainability aspect.
The 3-year ‘Partners for International Business’ program for offshore wind energy recently started. In principle, participation in the program is still possible. It is intended to connect Dutch and Finnish companies, promote cooperation, and thus increase export opportunities for Dutch companies.
Market Opportunities in battery technology
Sweden is a leader in electrification. Houses are heated by heat pumps and the industry is switching en masse to green electricity. Batteries play a very important role in this.
One of the drivers is Northvolt. This company develops, produces and recycles its own batteries. Northvolt has a gigantic factory in the north of Sweden. It is currently building several factories in Sweden (in addition to the Volvo trucks factories) and Europe (Northern Germany).
Another driver is the innovative Swedish industry. E.g., Scania has opened a new battery factory for electrifying their (‘heavy-duty’) models. Other examples include Heart Aerospace (electric aircraft) and Candela (electric hydrofoil ferries).
Finland is the only country in Europe that has all the minerals needed for battery production. It also has significant capacity in battery materials refining and precursor material production. Recently there were publications of significant investment projects for battery cell production in Finland.
Finland has the potential to control the entire value chain and produce sustainable, ethical, batteries through a combination of:
- responsible mining;
- a high-quality innovation climate; and
- recycling expertise.
Program
The program of this 4-day mission includes company visits and networking events with Swedish and Finnish companies and organizations. In general, the program has the following components:
- knowledge sharing sessions, such as seminars or workshops;
- company and/or location visits;
- networking events; and
- trade reception/trade dinner.
The mission starts with a joint kick-off led by Minister Klever in Stockholm. There will also be a networking seminar and reception with relevant contacts for the mission participants, co-organized by Business Sweden and moderated by scientist and writer Jasper van Kuijk.
During registration (see furter below), companies have to complete a questionnaire and can, if desired, have an intake interview in which they can indicate which companies they would like to meet during the mission. We do our best to take these wishes into account in the development of the program.
Preliminary program
Monday November 4
• Flight from Amsterdam to Stockholm (travel at own convenience)
• Informal welcome to hotel
• Network reception
• Overnight stay in Stockholm
Tuesday November 5
• Official opening/kick-off of the mission
• Company visit(s)
• Networking event
• Trade reception
• Overnight stay in Stockholm
Wednesday November 6
• Company visit(s)
• Informative sessions
• Networking event
• Flight to Helsinki (or flight to Amsterdam)
• Overnight stay in Helsinki
Thursday November 7
• Kick-off session
• Informative session
• Networking event
• Trade reception
• Overnight stay in Helsinki
Friday November 8
• Company visit(s)
• Networking lunch
• Debriefing session
• Flight to Amsterdam
Participation and costs
The participation fee for this mission is €950 per company, with a maximum of 2 people per company. If you want to participate with more people from your company, the additional costs are €475 per additional person.
Included are:
- participation in the collective program components;
- collective matchmaking;
- local support by the organization; and
- local transport (linked to the program).
Travel and accommodation costs and personal transfers are at your own expense and risk. After the registration period you will receive suggestions for your trip and accommodation as soon as possible.
Registration
Sign up here for this economic mission to Sweden and Finland. The deadline for registration is September 16, 2024.
Participation is limited to Dutch companies and organizations that align with the mission’s focus. Registration and automatic confirmation of receipt therefore does not mean that you are participating in this trade mission. You will receive a final confirmation of your participation after the registration period has closed.
Organization
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) organizes this mission in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch embassies in Sweden and Finland, working together with among others Holland Home of Wind Energy (HHWE), NedZero and LinkedbyOffshoreWind.
More information
For questions about this mission, please contact Hanneke Bogaerts, missions project manager at RVO.
Commissioned by: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
More information about business opportunites in Finland
More information about business opportunities in Sweden
