Umeå’s Largest Battery Park – Local Collaboration with Major Impact
In the heart of Östteg in Umeå, six white containers stand with a combined storage capacity of 6,000 kWh of electricity. This battery park is the result of a unique collaboration between local players with different yet complementary expertise.
“The battery is like a Swiss army knife – versatile, efficient, and essential for the future power grid,” says André Lindström, CEO of NorrWatt.
Founded as recently as 2023, NorrWatt today comprises three companies, with Ekström Invest as the main owner. The company offers everything from energy storage to system solutions and ancillary services. In Teg, they are also the developer of the facility – a project that marks the company’s evolution from the real estate sector into owning and operating battery installations.
“We started right in the middle of a technological shift. There was an opening in the electricity market, and as tech-oriented entrepreneurs, we chose to step in. But we had no experience with high-voltage systems, and that’s where Actemium came in as the perfect partner,” says André.
High Voltage and Fast-Paced Projects
Actemium, formerly Eitech, specializes in electrical installation from low to high voltage – from safety systems (fire, intrusion, access control) to industrial, construction, and power installations. Despite being established in the region since 2017, the company is still relatively unknown – something they are now actively working to change.
“We are at a stage where we want to broaden our presence and build more connections in the region. That’s when we came into contact with North Sweden Cleantech – the network immediately felt like a natural gateway for us,” says Magnus Eriksson, Business Unit Manager at Actemium.
It was during a meeting with the local business office that Actemium was first introduced to North Sweden Cleantech.
“It was an excellent meeting that opened our eyes to what’s happening in the region and in the cross-Kvarken collaboration. Joining the network has given us both new perspectives and tangible opportunities – especially for projects like this one,” says Magnus.
The construction timeline was exceptional: from pre-application in February to commissioning in December – a pace that demanded both responsiveness and innovative thinking.
“We made calls, asked questions, and challenged long lead times. We also received fantastic support from Umeå Energi, which was key to getting everything in place so quickly,” says André.
Shaping the Energy Solutions of the Future
The Teg battery park addresses the growing need for both national and local grid balance at a time when production and consumption rarely align. For André Lindström and NorrWatt, it’s about being part of a necessary development.
“Electricity must be consumed the moment it is produced. As we add more intermittent power sources, we need balance – and batteries are a tool that can store and release energy quickly, flexibly, and safely.”
The project is also just the beginning. NorrWatt has already started additional installations in the region and is planning a 12-megawatt park in Holmsund. At the same time, they are preparing to meet the transport sector’s future needs.
“In 2027, capacity-based subscriptions will be introduced for everyone. Interest in shaving power peaks will increase dramatically – among both businesses and households. And the electrification of the vehicle fleet will require entirely new solutions. Batteries can play a key role in that,” says André.
For both companies, the collaboration is both a valuable reference and a platform for further growth.
“We’ve learned a lot from each other and look forward to more joint projects. This was our first, but definitely not our last,” says Magnus.
In the photo from left: Magnus Eriksson, Business Unit Manager at Actemium, and André Lindström, CEO of NorrWatt.