Per Eckemark (left) and Ebba Busch (right). Image courtesy Svenska kraftnät.
The Swedish government has appointed Per Eckemark as the new director general of the country’s transmission system operator (TSO) Svenska kraftnät as it prepares enhanced investment into the power grid.
Per Eckemark will take office on May 1 and take over from Lotta Medelius-Bredhe.
Eckemark is currently head of the network division at Svenska kraftnät and has extensive experience in the energy industry. He joined Svenska kraftnät in 2018 as division head of networks after a long career within ABB.
Lotta Medelius-Bredhe took office as director general of Svenska kraftnät in November 2019. Last autumn, Lotta informed the political leadership at the Ministry of Climate and Enterprise that she would not be available for another three years after her appointment expires.
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Commenting in a release was Swedish minister of energy and enterprise Ebba Busch: “I am pleased that Per Eckemark has accepted this important assignment. I feel confident about this. Per has what it takes for the heavy and important collaboration that is needed.”
Said Eckemark: “It feels incredibly honourable to take over from Lotta and continue to lead the work on Svenska kraftnät’s socially important mission. I feel humbled by the assignment but at the same time very committed and motivated to lead and develop the authority’s work.”
Svenska kraftnät’s plans
Eckemark’s promotion comes at a time when the Swedish TSO plans a major increase in investments across their power networks in the country.
Svenska kraftnät is investing almost €51.5 billion ($58.8 billion) in the years 2026 to 2028, including in capacity enhancements, a €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) step up compared to their plans for 2025 to 2027.
Specifically, the network investments are aimed at both replacing lines that have reached their technical lifespan and meeting increased electricity consumption.
Some of the larger investments during the period include the Norrland Coast action package, the Gotland connection, the NordSyd programme, and the Stockholms Ström and Storstockholm Väst programmes, which consist of a number of projects for system reinforcement, and new connections to the power grid.
From 2026 to 2029, the TSO will also commission ten series compensation facilities, increasing transmission capacity by 800MW.
