“I see smart electricity installations as a core issue for the green transition”

At the age of 18, she started working as an electrician. Today, 27 years later, she has been appointed CEO of the Swedish Installation Federation. In her new role, Saira Alladin wants to drive progress around efficient electricity use.

– Simply producing more energy is not enough. Smart grids and smart installations are crucial for the green transition, she says.

On 1 October, Saira Alladin, 45, will start her new job as CEO of Installatörsföretagen, the Swedish Installation Federation, which represents 4,000 member companies with 60,000 employees.

– It’s a responsible role, and an important one, because all the investments that are planned end up in the hands of installers and fitters, she says.
Saira is looking forward to meeting many of them and other stakeholders at Elfack 2025.

– For me it’s a big ‘happening’! It’s so valuable to be able to meet, discuss and be inspired. I never want to miss it – I love Elfack!

A powerful female role model

Saira has had a long career. She started from scratch: first as an electrician, then as a fitter, before going on to study electrical engineering with a specialisation in electrical power. Eventually she became a switchgear designer at ABB, regional manager at Sweco, operations manager at Vattenfall and, most recently, electricity network manager at Ellevio Stockholm.

– Yes, I have worked my way up. But I also started very early, so you have time to do a lot…
Her efforts have also been recognised: in 2018, for example, she was named Power Woman of the Year and in 2019 Female Role Model of the Year.

Experiencing a paradigm shift

The overriding challenge she sees, from an industry perspective, is the large-scale electrification that will enable the green transition.

– If we are to achieve this, we need to focus more on smart solutions for electricity networks and electrical installations. I definitely see this as a key issue, she says.

She believes that smart installations and an electricity grid that is dimensioned to handle higher power and higher transmission capacity is just as important as the expansion of nuclear and wind power.

– It feels like we had a paradigm shift when electricity prices skyrocketed in 2022. Suddenly, the media started focusing on the power shortage and bottlenecks, Saira Alladin says.

– We currently have a capacity shortage in electricity transmission. And now it feels like politicians are beginning to realise that it’s not just about producing more.

Energy efficiency – huge potential

She does not want to minimise the importance of increasing energy production.

– The forecasts show that electricity consumption will double, but we won’t be able to expand the grid by double. Therefore, we need to achieve at least 20 per cent efficiency in the electricity grid when we expand, Saira says.

– All technologies – overhead lines, cables and substations – need to be upgraded. The grid must become more efficient, but so must all installations. If we do it right, we can make big energy savings.

She also calls for major investments in energy efficiency in older buildings.
– We can plan and install in a smart way in all new buildings. But we also need to find ways to redesign installations to make existing buildings and industries more energy efficient. There is huge potential here.

The level of attraction must be raised

Another issue close to Saira Alladin’s heart is gender equality, which is linked to skills shortages and labour needs in the installation industry.

– We clearly need to make careers more attractive, not least to bring in more young women. A lot of it is about how we describe the industry, about what role models there are.

– I have young women in my neighbourhood who find it exciting and, when I paint the picture of a future profession with good career opportunities, want to study electricity. I myself am an example of that. Sure, it can be difficult to attract new employees. But certainly not impossible!

Elfack is Northern Europe’s largest trade fair for the entire electricity and energy industry. You can find out more about programmes and activities at www.elfack.com. The trade fair will take place from 6 to 9 May 2025 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre Gothia Towers in Gothenburg.