Stockholm's Electricity Network Enhancements Gear Up for Data Center Demand
Stockholm enhances electricity network capacity to support new data centers.
Key Points
- • Ellevio signs agreement for two large data centers in Akalla requiring 60 megawatts of capacity, expandable to 100 megawatts.
- • Capacity increase is comparable to one-tenth of the output from the Ringhals 3 nuclear reactor.
- • Ellevio aims to boost capacity to over 2,500 megawatts by 2030, up from 1,635 megawatts.
- • Challenges in transport sector persist, especially for new electric vehicle charging infrastructures.
Recent developments in Stockholm's electricity network are set to bolster the infrastructure needed for an influx of new, power-hungry data centers. On July 21, 2025, sources announced key enhancements that will significantly increase capacity to meet the growing demands of digital technology infrastructure.
Ellevio, a major electricity provider, has signed an agreement for two large data centers in the Akalla area, which will initially draw 60 megawatts of electricity, with plans to expand capacity up to 100 megawatts. This increase in demand is substantial, estimated to be equivalent to about one-tenth of the power output of the Ringhals 3 nuclear reactor, or three times the energy consumption of a small municipality like Filipsstad.
Henrik Bergström, societal policy chief at Ellevio, emphasized that this connection represents one of the largest enhancements to Stockholm's grid in recent years. He projected that Ellevio could potentially increase its overall capacity subscription with Svenska Kraftnät (SvK) to over 2,500 megawatts by 2030, a notable rise from the current capacity of 1,635 megawatts.
Despite these advances, challenges remain, particularly in the transport sector, where the integration of new electric vehicle charging stations is lagging. The recent capacity increase from SvK has been modest, providing only 65 megawatts, which many believe is insufficient for the new data center commitments. Jennie Albinsson from the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce pointed out that although industrial users like data centers may benefit from enhanced supply capabilities, the urgency of demand for charging infrastructure is still unmet. For example, the allocated capacity for the Akalla project could theoretically support up to 400 fast chargers for electric vehicles, but operators are constrained in prioritizing among competing projects for their connections.
As the demand for electricity grows alongside the digitalization of services in Stockholm, ongoing improvements to the power supply infrastructure will be crucial to keep pace with future technological needs.