Farmer wins Power of the Year award: The alternative to fossil fuels was right outside

When Lars Paulson took over the family farm in the 1990s, it was a traditional agricultural operation. Today, Kvarngården in Halland is an example of how the energy transition, circular thinking and strong profitability can go hand in hand.

Everything from tractors and trucks to passenger cars on the farm is fuelled with locally produced biogas, replacing around 65,000 litres of diesel every year. Lars has also encouraged other local farmers to jointly establish biogas production. He generously shares his experience by welcoming trainees and study visits from both Swedish and international organisations.

“We were very impressed by Lars’ journey, both as an entrepreneur and as an inspiration to others. While maintaining profitability, he has shown that innovation, courage and a strong commitment to the energy transition can deliver fantastic results that have an impact far beyond the farm itself. Lars is an excellent role model for others considering investments in fossil-free solutions,” says Maria von Holst, Head of Business Solutions at Fortum.

New Fortum Award

Årets Drivkraft is a new national award established by Fortum and presented for the first time in 2026. Fortum is Företagarna’s partner on energy issues, and through the award aims to highlight the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden’s development and showcase good examples of electrification and the phase-out of fossil fuels.

“Entrepreneurs are problem-solvers, and Lars is a brilliant example of that. In an energy-intensive industry where costs have soared in recent years, he hasn’t waited for someone else to solve the problems. Instead, he found the answer on his own farm. That ingenuity and drive are something we should be very proud of in Sweden,” says Magnus Demervall, CEO of Företagarna.

The award was presented to a happy and proud Lars Paulson during Företagarna’s Årets Företagare event.

“It’s fantastic to be able to turn an idea into reality and see how it creates a ripple effect and inspires others,” says Lars Paulson.

About Kvarngården

Kvarngården is a modern farm with dairy production, livestock and its own energy production. The operation includes approximately 500 dairy cows and around 1,700 animals in total.

Through biogas production and a strong focus on circular resource flows, the company has developed an operation that is largely energy self-sufficient. In addition to Lars, the company employs 12–15 people depending on the season.

Kvarngården was the first farm in Sweden to purchase a biogas-powered tractor and today owns four of the approximately ten such tractors sold in Sweden. The farm also operates a heavy-duty truck, several light commercial vehicles and passenger cars powered by biogas, replacing around 65,000 litres of diesel annually.

Motivation

Årets Drivkraft is awarded to an entrepreneur who demonstrates courage, curiosity and confidence in the future, leading the way in the energy transition. By recognising the potential within their own business, the winner has successfully phased out fossil fuels on a large scale.

Through generosity and commitment, the recipient shares their experiences and has thereby created an impact far beyond their own business. The winner is an excellent example of how profitability and transition can go hand in hand, and how the solution can sometimes be found right outside the door.

About Power of the Year

Årets Drivkraft is a new national award established by Fortum and presented for the first time in 2026. The award is presented to one of the finalists in Sweden’s Årets Unga Företagare and Årets Företagare competitions.

The winner is selected by a dedicated Fortum jury and receives one year of free electricity trading fees from Fortum, for consumption of up to 100,000 kWh. The company also receives 100% fossil-free electricity, verified through Guarantees of Origin from fossil-free energy sources.

In addition, the prize includes a half-day visit to Fortum’s headquarters in Solna, where the winner can meet experts in areas including sustainability, innovation and communications to exchange experiences and discuss topics based on the company’s needs.

Criteria

Årets Drivkraft is awarded to an entrepreneur who demonstrates how the transition can move from idea to reality.

Through clear leadership and the courage to think differently, the winner has taken concrete steps to contribute to electrification, technological development and/or reduced climate impact.

But the commitment goes beyond their own business. The winner also acts as a driving force in their community, inspiring other companies and contributing to optimism, development and action.

About the Awards

Årets Företagare is one of Sweden’s most established awards for entrepreneurs and has a long history of recognising outstanding business owners across the country. Its purpose is to highlight entrepreneurs who, through their commitment, drive and leadership, contribute to the development of their businesses and local communities.

Winners are first selected at local and regional level across Sweden. The regional winners then progress to the national final, where Sweden’s Årets Unga Företagare and Årets Företagare are selected.

Translation note: I’ve made this slightly more idiomatic than a word-for-word translation, particularly in the quotes, so it reads naturally as an English-language corporate press release while preserving the meaning of the Swedish original.