BSPC Working Group addresses emerging geopolitical challenges, energy security risks, and the future of interconnected transport systems in Stockholm
The fifth meeting of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) Working Group on Energy Security, Self-sustainability, Resilience, and Connectivity (WG ESSRC) convened in Stockholm, Sweden, from 16-18 March 2025, drawing 30 participants from across the Baltic Sea region. Delegates from the Åland Islands, the Baltic Assembly, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hamburg, Latvia, Lithuania, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Schleswig-Holstein joined officials and experts in addressing the possibilities for developing sustainable and resilient land and maritime transport solutions.
The working group also further reinforced the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring maritime security amid growing geopolitical uncertainties.
Chair of the WG ESSRC, Mr Andris Kulbergs, pointed out that since the last meeting of the WG in Bergen in November 2024, significant progress has been made in various areas of discussion. However, the geopolitical situation has changed fundamentally and is still changing daily. Therefore, the WG ESSRC is required to coordinate and communicate on the issues to be able to come up with the necessary action, as strengthening cooperation across the Baltic Sea region is more important than ever, and this commitment will be crucial for shaping joint policies moving forward. He also emphasised that the Baltic Sea countries should be the pillars of democracy and legality and continue to fight for the rule of law and freedom of speech.
Spotlight on Transport and Resilience
The participants engaged in a series of site visits, including the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Candela, and the Swedish Coast Guard:
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology: Founded in 1827, KTH has grown to become a leading technical university worldwide. As the largest institution in Sweden for technical education and research, it brings together students, researchers, and educators worldwide. Its activities are grounded in a strong tradition of advancing science and innovation, focusing on contributing to sustainable societal development.
KTH conducts basic and applied research, currently ranking 73rd among 1,500 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings. Their research structures enable interdisciplinary and external collaborations that contribute to new knowledge, technologies, products, and services. Thus, during the visit, leading researchers shared insights on some of the recent research topics, such as sustainable transport development, power grid evolution, and industrial expansion in the Baltic Sea region. A demonstration at the Integrated Transport Research Lab (ITRL)showcased cutting-edge research in transport automation and electrification. The visit emphasised the role of technological innovation in shaping the future of mobility while ensuring energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
- Candela: Candela was founded in 2014 by Gustav Hasselskog, who was determined to find ways to make electric boats with both range and speed that would ensure a better performance than the fossil fuel competitors. At the end of 2016, a full-scale prototype was launched, reaching the target of more than 50 nautical miles per charge at a speed of 22 knots. Serial production of the world’s first electric hydrofoil boat started in 2019, but in 2020, Candela C-7 became the best-selling electric boat in Europe.
During the visit to Candela headquarters, participants had the opportunity to practically experience the potential of electric hydrofoil boats to revolutionise maritime transport. The innovative Candela P-12 is the world’s first high-speed and long-range electric shuttle ship. Cruising at 20+ knots on computer-controlled hydrofoils, it consumes 80% less energy than conventional ships. These vessels offer an energy-efficient alternative to traditional ferries and could play a key role in reducing emissions in the Baltic Sea region.
- Swedish Coast Guard: The Swedish Coast Guard surveils, rescues, and provides assistance at sea 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, along the entire Swedish coastline. It is a civilian government agency under the authority of the Ministry of Defence of Sweden. The Coast Guard also coordinates civilian needs for maritime surveillance, disseminates maritime information, and carries out the day-to-day maritime surveillance for many government agencies.
The visit to the Swedish Coast Guard station in Djurö further reinforced the importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure and ensuring maritime security in the face of growing geopolitical uncertainties.
Security in the Baltic Sea, energy security, and civil preparedness
Professor at the Swedish Defence University and Maritime Systems Researcher at the Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, Mr Hans Liwång, informed that the underwater domain of the Baltic Sea presents unique and complex challenges. Thus, it requires specialised knowledge. Unlike incidents on land, where causes are quickly identified, maritime incidents can remain uncertain for long periods, leading to unnecessary speculation. A more structured approach to incident reporting and learning is needed to improve resilience. He also emphasised that increasing diversity in infrastructure, such as multiple cables with different technologies and operators, would enhance resilience against coordinated attacks. Lastly, maritime security should be approached from an international perspective rather than a purely national one.
Deputy Head of Security, Svenska kraftnät, Mr Fredrik Gustavsson, provided an overview of the Svenska kraftnät, which is the authority responsible for ensuring that Sweden’s transmission system for electricity is safe, environmentally sound and cost-effective. They also conduct and support research projects to manage critical challenges to the national electricity grid and possible risks in the power system. He also informed about the threats that the electricity sector is facing, including cyberattacks, physical damage and sabotage, unreliable supply chains, and different kinds of hybrid activities. To deal with these challenges, the Svenska kraftnät is taking different measures to maintain the electricity supply in all social conditions, such as remedial measures, preparedness, security, and dialogue with stakeholders.
Analyst at the Swedish Energy Agency, Ms Rebecka Bergholtz, informed about the Swedish Energy Agency, which is the national authority for energy policy issues charged with promoting sustainable and resilient energy use and supply in Sweden. It supports research, innovation, policies, and actions to enable the energy transition while increasing the overall resilience of the energy system. She also emphasised that efforts are being made to ensure energy resilience in times of conflict by analysing supply and demand gaps and ensuring robust energy availability for critical sectors.
Cooperation of the Baltic Sea states in international organisations
The members of the WG ESSRC also had been updated about the current activities of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) and learned about the work of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe (CPMR) Baltic Sea Commission.
Director General of the CBSS, Mr Gustav Lindström, informed that the CBSS was established in 1992 as an inter-governmental political forum for cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region. It currently consists of 11 members: the 10 Member States of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden, plus the European Union. Today, the CBSS serves as a primary platform for political dialogue, encompassing international cooperation in areas agreed on by its members. He highlighted that the CBSS focuses on its current three long-term priorities – Regional Identity, Safe & Secure Region, and Sustainable & Prosperous Region. On 13 January 2025, Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Gabrielius Landsbergis were appointed as the high-level rapporteurs of the CBSS following their nomination by the Estonian Presidency. They are now working on a report on the future of the CBSS, which will be launched in May 2025.
President of CPMR Baltic Sea Commission, Mr Tomas Mörtsell, informed that the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission is an international, independent organisation of Regional Authorities across the Baltic Sea Region. Established in 1996, it serves as a forum for policy-oriented cooperation and lobbying amongst Regional Authorities. The organisation supports the main goals of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and works for a stronger involvement of regional stakeholders in the governance and implementation of the EU Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region.
Looking Ahead
Chairman Mr Andris Kulbergs closed the meeting by emphasising the urgency of cooperation across the Baltic Sea region to ensure preparedness for any future risks. It was agreed that the WG will reconvene in Tallinn in May 2025 for its sixth and final meeting, focusing on maritime cybersecurity and accelerating the transition to a single digital market resilient to internal and external threats.