The rise in electricity prices has significantly affected sports clubs in southern Sweden.
Rögle is one association concerned with what this might mean for the future.
– The only way to really reduce consumption is to remove one or two of the ice, but I really hope we don’t get there, RBK manager Daniel Koch tells Sportbladet.
Rising electricity prices mean it will be more expensive for Swedish sports clubs to run their business this winter. It will be the most expensive for clubs that own their own yard and belong to the fourth electricity price zone in the far south of the country.
SHL’s Växjö Lakers club agrees on both points and has taken the necessary measures.
– We have invested in a new technology for indoor climate in the plaza, which provides a good reduction in consumption. We actually did that last year, Lakers CEO Johan Markusson tells Sportbladet.
Now it’s mostly about improving processes. Every little help. Unfortunately, producing snow takes a lot of energy no matter how you twist and turn it.
Could it be appropriate to lower the heat in the hall or even reduce the ice times?
– We work with temperatures all the time, but there are limits to what we can do as it affects the quality of the ice. We won’t shorten ice ages as they seem now, he says.
May have to remove ice surfaces
Another team struggling with rising electricity prices is Skånelaget Rögle. Ängelholmarna rents out their yard but is responsible for the electricity costs themselves.
– We ordered solar cells for the roof of the Katina Arena. Unfortunately, it cannot be delivered until spring. We’ve also made a number of small, energy-efficient investments, such as new, low-energy lighting in the old training ground, Rögle club manager Daniel Koch tells Sportbladet.
According to Radiosporten, Rögle pays about three million kroner for electricity during a regular season. Last year, that amount doubled, and this year the cost could be about fifteen million.
The challenge is that about 90 percent of our consumption comes from refrigeration, ventilation and dehumidification, in other words freezing and preserving ice. With the prices we’re seeing now, doing ice hockey and figure skating in southern Sweden is and will be a challenge.
Could it be appropriate to lower the heat in the hall or even reduce the ice times?
The heat here is completely recycled from our refrigeration compressors, so the heat doesn’t bring us any extra electricity. The only way to really reduce consumption is to remove one or two of the ice, but I really hope we don’t get there. It’s going to have a huge impact, especially on our youth activities,” Daniel Koch tells Sportbladet.