Trouble at the paper mill

Maria Kielmas asks how energy users in Scandinavia are coping with medium-term price uncertainties and the threat of increased environmental legislation

Energy price uncertainties and mounting environmental regulation are posing a dilemma for Scandinavia’s forestry industry energy managers. Energy costs can represent half a company’s production costs and some 10% of turnover. And, in a sector that traditionally plans investment for the grandchildren, the nature and price of energy supplies over the coming decade is a fundamental matter.

“The future supply of electricity is our biggest problem because of the eternal discussion about phasing