Lessebo Paper is forced to pause production due to electricity prices

The high electricity prices have consequences for Swedish industry. At Lessebo Paper, electricity costs have become so high that the company is forced to pause production.

Now the paper mill is criticizing the differences in electricity prices in northern and southern Sweden. The company feels that the conditions for conducting energy-intensive operations in southern Sweden are becoming increasingly difficult.

- The government and politicians must show action now, says Jens Olson, CEO of Lessebo Paper.

For a paper mill, where production requires large amounts of energy, the price of electricity can be decisive for whether it is at all profitable to keep the machines running.

How long production will be at a standstill depends on how electricity prices develop.

Swedish business life: "Troubling situation"

According to Ulrica Bennesved, regional director of Swedish Business in Kronoberg county, several signals have been received that the business owners in electricity price area four are being pressured by the electricity price right now.

- Our overall picture is that it is an extremely serious and worrying situation. You count on hours upon hours whether it is worthwhile to produce or whether it is better to stand still, she says and continues:

- This energy situation in Sweden is directly inhibiting growth and seen over time, we must both solve the acute situation, but above all make sure to increase electricity production in areas three and four.