Växjö

The Swedish city of Växjö is located in the mid-southern county of Kronoberg in Sweden. Further, it is home to about 88,488 (2016) people. The goal to become a fossil fuel free city was adopted in 1996. Building on long term planning, the city has already made significant progress with the current renewable energy’s share at 60% (2014). The massive expansion of district heating systems (covering about 75% of the population) and the use of forest biomass enabled the city to transform its energy system and decrease its dependence on fossil fuels with significant advantages for the environment and quality of life. Geothermal energy use has also grown.

The environmental program states that by 2030, the heating, electricity, cooling and fuels shall stem from 100% renewable sources. Strategies include working with companies to support them shifting to RES, as well as working on energy efficiency. Increased production of biogas and requirements in public tenders on high share of bio fuels is also part of the strategy.

Furthermore, the local production of heating, electricity and cooling is nearly 100% renewable. To introduce renewables in the transport sector is the biggest challenge. Further, producing all electricity locally and to be independent from the national electricity production, which includes nuclear energy, is another difficulty that the city faces.

Find further information below:

• The European cities moving faster on clean energy than their governments
• The End of Fossil Energy

Thursday, August 4th, 2016