The green industry of Northern Sweden : will the boom also build growth?

Currently, Northern Sweden faces a phase of new industrialisation. Large "green" industrial projects are located or planned to be initiated in the region. Attractors are a reliable supply of green energy, land for large establishments and social as well as political stability. Initially, the actors are factories for the production of batteries and fossil-free steel, but also bitcoin mines, data server halls, etc. have been established. Following are consultants, real estate actors, architects, planners etc. In this respect, the green "reindustrialisation" has the potential to change the relatively slow growth in the region. The first long wave of industry ended in the 1970s, in a process that involved many elements of a "resource curse". In the paper, after a presentation of facts, visions and narratives connected with this change, we analyse the economic background and forces behind the stagnation. We ask if the region have the insights and leadership that may exploit the situation and move the region on to a path of growth? Labour and housing are needed, but the region must also develop institutions, narratives and habits that will keep and attract a broader set of assets. Legislation, policy and narratives at national and European levels are other obstacles for growth.