Securing the Future of Energy
On the 15th of April, we had the pleasure of hosting a discussion on securing the future of energy, bringing together Sir Stephen Lovegrove, Chair of Rolls-Royce SMR and former UK National Security Adviser, as keynote speaker. He was joined by an outstanding panel: H.E. Samantha Job CMG MVO, British Ambassador to Sweden; Fredrik Hedström, Head of Energy Strategy at Volvo Cars; Christian Hedelin, GF Strategy & Technology at Saab; and Dr. Arthur Krebbers, Head of Corporate Client & ESG Capital Markets at NatWest. The discussion was expertly moderated by Martin Sandgren, Partner at Setterwalls.
A key theme was the evolving energy “trilemma” — balancing security of supply, affordability, and sustainability — with today’s geopolitical context placing renewed emphasis on energy security. Energy systems are increasingly viewed through a national security lens, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure, diversified supply, and closer public-private collaboration.
Discussions underscored that no single solution will suffice. A broad energy mix — including renewables, nuclear, and emerging technologies such as SMRs — will be essential, alongside increased investment, stable policy frameworks, and stronger international cooperation.
The discussion also addressed the role of investment and financial frameworks in enabling the energy transition. The speakers emphasized the need for new models that combine public and private capital, particularly given the scale and risk profile of many energy projects. Stable return structures and long-term policy signals were seen as essential to attract investment and support innovation.
Finally, the importance of international collaboration was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. They highlighted the need for closer cooperation between countries, particularly within Europe, as well as with global partners. The energy transition was framed not only as a regional challenge, but as a global one, requiring shared solutions, aligned strategies, and long-term partnerships.
The discussion concluded with a shared recognition that while the challenges are significant, the current geopolitical context also serves as a wake-up call — underscoring the urgency of accelerating the transition, strengthening resilience, and working collaboratively to secure the future of energy.
We extend our sincerest gratitude to Setterwalls, Martin Sandgren and team for hosting, to our speakers for their insightful discussion and to all of our members that attended the event!
