“Now we have to make big decisions in uncertain times”

We are now living through an unprecedented situation: we are undergoing a huge societal transformation, and in the post-pandemic era, we face challenges that create insecurity. According to Karin Bodén at Jämtkraft, this situation places demands on both the private and public sectors. “In times like these, it is important to be strategic, but it is also particularly difficult. The challenge for industry is that we must dare to take big decisions in uncertain times. Because we have to make sure we create robust systems.”

Karin works at Jämtkraft, where she is a business developer and responsible for community contacts. Jämtkraft is an energy company that does a lot of work in the production of energy from renewable sources.

– The uncertain situation means that the big issues are high on the agenda, such as the need for more renewable energy, but it is also extra complicated taking decisions in a turbulent world. What’s important, though, is to take decisions. Failure to take decisions is even worse. The challenge for industry is that we must dare to make big decisions in uncertain times. Because we have to make sure we create robust systems.”

The insecurity that Karin is talking about is uncertain access to clean and reliable electricity. Something that we have not historically felt insecure about in Sweden.

– What I mean is that it becomes difficult to isolate different issues. Because this also concerns social work. There are people who have to leave their companies and feel that the security we had before has been shattered. It’s becoming clear that the important thing now is to ensure that we have security in the energy system. Issues such as safety, sustainability and efficiency become central. What is the best use of energy and where can we save?

“Meeting places are growing in importance”

The social work that Karin is talking about requires even greater collaboration within the sector in order to tackle the increasingly complex social issues.

– In uncertain times, it’s much scarier to take big decisions. Ideally, you avoid doing it. But here we have to do the opposite and eventually it boils down to courage. That’s when meeting places like Elfack grow in importance. As the discussions become more important and more heated, we need to get out of the trenches and actually engage in them. These are very tough issues, but at the same time we do enjoy a world of opportunity in the Swedish energy system, in spite of everything.

Going forward, long-termism should take a greater place in conversations about energy supply and also the broader concept of sustainability, which includes environmental, economic and social sustainability.

– We certainly shouldn’t belittle those who suffer from high prices, but if we compare how things are here with how they look in some other countries, we still have room to manoeuvre in Sweden. We need to come together and listen to what politicians and business leaders are saying, but also to listen to those who are thinking and innovating, so that we can broaden the way we think about sustainability. So I hope that issues such as how we can deliver safety, security and efficiency will loom large at Elfack.

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