STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Sweden is attempting to rid itself of oil dependence within the next 15 years.
The plan, which does not envision the construction of new nuclear plants, is being worked on by a panel of industrialists, academics, car manufacturers, farmers and others.
"Our dependency on oil should be broken by 2020," Mona Sahlin, Sweden's minister of sustainable development, said Tuesday.
As part of the plan, Sweden says it will replace all fossil fuels with renewable sources before oil prices reach new highs due to a shortage.
"There shall always be better alternatives to oil, which means no house should need oil for heating, and no driver should need to turn solely to gasoline," Sahlin said.
Much of Sweden's electricity is from nuclear and hydroelectric power. By 2003, more than 25 percent came from renewables. The average in the European Union is 6 percent.
The panel was expected to recommend further development of biofuels derived from forests and an expansion of wind and wave power.
The panel was to report to parliament in the next few months.
