Aims of the programme

The Nordic Energy Outlooks Programme aims to:

• Strengthen Nordic research competencies and collaboration between different groups and institutions researching Nordic energy systems by building on existing national research programs.
• Add Nordic and national value by facilitating synthesis of current national research results and benchmarking these on a regional level.
• Bring together national research group with specific knowledge of sub-sectors in the field to investigate similar research questions would give additional insights into how methodology, models and assumptions influence results.

The structure of the programme

The program is divided into four work packages or WP’s. Each work package is analyzed by selected research environments in collaboration with Nordic Energy Research and SINTEF Energy. SINTEF was selected to carry out WP0 and designated as the project lead institution for the entire program.

SINTEF Energy follows and participates in all the work packages of the program and is responsible for the overall coordination. Selected institutions for WP1–4 participate by using existing competencies and their own analyses of energy systems in cooperation with SINTEF Energy and the other members of each consortium for the individual work packages.

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The research consortia were funded through a joint effort by Nordic Energy Research and several funding research institutions, including Business Finland, the Danish Energy Agency, the Icelandic Centre for Research, the Norwegian Research Council, and the Swedish Transport Administration.

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This aim translates into three central actions:

• Promotion of intra-Baltic and Baltic-Nordic research projects with participation of Baltic researchers
• A Baltic-Nordic Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) collaboration
• Exchange of energy researchers between the Baltic and Nordic countries.

Background

On 26 October 2018 it became clear that the Baltic countries were ready to enter into the Baltic-Nordic energy research cooperation initiated by Nordic Energy Research.

The agreement took the form of a Memorandum of Understanding where the Baltic states and Nordic Energy Research signaled the willingness to fund a research cooperation of NOK 24 million over four years.

The memorandum of understanding will help pave the way for further research cooperation between the Nordics and Baltics and build upon the success of the research project Baltic Energy Technology Scenarios.

“By launching this initiative we have taken an important step in creating a better exchange of ideas and knowledge between the Nordics and Baltics. This cooperation will be vital if both regions are to remain globally competitive and energy-secure in the years to come.”

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Hans Jørgen Koch, former CEO of Nordic Energy Research

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The main goal of the focus initiative RegSys has been to accelerate the development and integration of regional energy systems by innovation in system management. All elements, such as heating and cooling grids, electricity, building infrastructure, etc., shall be combined with the different end-users and energy conversion management, and thereby become integrated. This is supposed to enable regions and local communities to reach their goals on decarbonisation and link them to a resilient European energy system. RegSys has constantly highlighted the involvement of need-owners and end-users, and that projects should consider not only technological solutions but also market integration and barriers in societies and communities. This approach is included in the EnerDigit initiative as well, which promotes applied research and development, piloting, and demonstration in digitalisation of energy systems and networks.

Boosting digitalisation

Along with the fundamental transformation of the energy system, the regional and local energy systems need to adapt. The regional and local energy systems’ ability to cope with the fundamental transformation comes from new and improved technology, development of business models, and trends in society. Boosting digitalization is a key factor in this transformation, as it makes energy systems smarter, more efficient, and sustainable, and will have a major effect on future energy systems. This is what makes the ERA-Net projects’ developing and integrating objectives relevant to attain.

However, digitalisation can at the same time make energy systems more vulnerable, which is why digital resilience is in focus too.

Coordination, funding, and future

To support the ERA-Net initiatives, Nordic Energy Research has been responsible for the role of Call Management since 2015. The Call Management administrates the call procedure, from scoping of themes for the call text and supporting applicants, to evaluation of project proposals and finally selection of the projects of highest quality. The main event during an ERA-Net cycle is the joint co-funded call, where the European Commission also contributes with funding.

Over the years, the annual calls have involved 34 national or regional funding agencies and resulted in more than 90 transnational projects, receiving about 100 million euros in funding. Since 2019, Nordic Energy Research has also been one of the funders to support Nordic and Baltic applicants participating in projects on energy storage and on digital transformation for a green energy transition.

As Horizon 2020 has been succeeded by Horizon Europe, the ERA-Net funding model is replaced with a new partnership model. Several of the “old” ERA-Nets have gathered with new partners in the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP), which launched in 2022.

The CETP is a major research and innovation collaboration, consisting of more than 70 European partners, aiming to boost and accelerate a clean energy transition to make Europe climate neutral. This implies an expansion of Nordic Energy Research’s role as coordinator of the work package on Call Management, as it encompasses a higher number of partners and collaborators.

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Co-funded by the EU, the partnership brings together funding organisations in the energy sector from over 30 countries across Europe and beyond. Through annual joint calls, the partnership aligns the research, development, and innovation priorities of the participating funding organisations and the EU. The CETPartnership aims to support selected projects covering a broad variety of technologies and system solutions required to make the transition.  

A key element of the CETPartnership is the seven Transition Initiatives (TRIs) that address challenges for the clean energy transition. The TRIs develop call categories based on these challenges that applicants can apply to through the annual joint calls.  

The CETPartnership also includes the Knowledge Community and the Impact Network, which support collaboration between the funded projects and their connections with relevant stakeholders, to enable effective RDI results for robust clean energy transition pathways.  

Our role 

Nordic Energy Research coordinates the call management for the annual joint calls. This includes drafting the annual call text and overseeing the eligibility checks, evaluation of proposals, and selection process. Furthermore, Nordic Energy Research serves as the partnership’s designated Communication Office, ensuring efficient and strategic communication across all platforms about the opportunities and activities offered by the partnership. 

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Nordic Energy Research aims to establish a proper framework that enables mobility in support of mutual Nordic-Baltic interests related to the energy sector. Nordic and Baltic researchers and PhD students are encouraged to form consortia and perform mobility activities that can redeem these interests, including interdisciplinary studies, industrial collaborations, stakeholder involvement, and societal impacts.

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For a successful green transition, new and research-based knowledge is paramount. In this Nordic-Baltic initiative, the focus is on three topics which are all important in the work towards a just green transition.

• The first topic calls for new insights on energy efficient, resilient, and sustainable food systems.
• The second topic addresses the importance of including gender perspectives in the green transition, for it to be just, effective, and long-lasting.
• The third topic concerns representation and legitimacy, focusing on democratic engagement and citizen-involvement in the green transition.

Towards a just and sustainable energy future

The Nordic and Baltic countries need to accelerate the transition to a fossil-free energy system to meet climate and biodiversity goals and avoid severe climate impacts. This requires major changes in energy production and consumption, especially amid Europe’s energy crisis following the war in Ukraine and reduced gas imports from Russia. Large investments in green energy—such as wind, hydrogen, hydro, and biofuels—can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Equally important is ensuring the transition is seen as legitimate and inclusive. Democratic engagement in planning and implementing new energy systems is crucial to build trust, prevent conflicts, and secure public support. Without it, projects risk delays, protests, or negative local impacts. Large energy facilities can also bring economic benefits, create jobs, and foster new industries, particularly in rural areas.

Challenges arise when energy projects must coexist with other societal and environmental interests, including biodiversity, land use, social justice, and traditional livelihoods. Power imbalances, private interests, and lack of transparency can limit citizen influence, creating conflicts over technology choices, responsibilities, and resource distribution.

Nordic experiences show that public participation strengthens legitimacy, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

The research conducted within the Green Transition Initiative aims to explore how democratic involvement can be enhanced in energy planning, which strategies work, and how trust between governments, businesses, and citizens can be built. The ultimate goal is a green, just, and socially sustainable energy transition that also strengthens competitiveness.

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The Nordic countries have strong presence in the maritime field as owners, operators, ship designers, builders and providers of both associated hardware and software as well as fuels. The Nordic countries are today on a per capita basis major maritime actors both in terms of operating and owning ships as well as having thriving maritime clusters involved in shipbuilding, hull design, equipment and marine engines. 

Transport – and especially maritime transport – is considered one of the hardest sectors of the economy to decarbonize. Since the Nordic region has a high ratio of renewable energy in its energy mix already, transport becomes one of the biggest remaining challenges. 

The aim of the programme is to map, develop, and use alternative energy sources in maritime operations and support the decarbonisation of the Nordic maritime sector. 

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