Ebba Busch has met with the EU's Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné to "emphasize the need for European green battery production".
The message was that not only start-up companies need support with the battery support package promised in a new EU plan for the automotive industry two weeks ago.
He has now received a direct report from my visit to Skellefteå. I have emphasized that it is an incredibly sensitive situation. If the EU Commission can signal that the battery support announced will also be available to battery manufacturers that are already started, it can be crucial for Northvolt to find a new owner, explains Busch afterwards.
Decision in the spring?
No money was handed out "on the table" from Séjourné, but the minister is still pleased to have gotten through.
There is no doubt that Sweden has made its case to one of the responsible commissioners that we must ensure we get competitive and viable European battery manufacturers, says Busch, who hopes for a decision during the spring.
Our hope is that we will be able to get a decision within a few weeks. In the meantime, we will do everything we can from the Swedish side to support the administrator Mikael Kubu in finding a new owner.
German nuclear power
In parallel, Busch also pushed on Monday for a more benevolent EU attitude towards nuclear power.
You need to make way for investments in more base power, otherwise the costs for the grid will skyrocket and we will see more strains between countries, says Busch.
At the same time, she looks forward to a significant energy turnaround in Germany, following the federal election in February.
It's clear that I hope for a German nuclear power renaissance now.
