From 'Fossi' to Future: A New Narrative for the Energy Transition

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – April 08, 2026 – In an effort to make one of the world's most complex challenges understandable to its youngest citizens, Swedish investment firm Baseload Capital has ventured into children’s literature with the launch of its latest book, The Big Switch. The book, the second in the Our Hidden Powers series, aims to demystify the global energy transition by introducing a cast of characters that includes a new, poignant figure: Fossi, the personification of fossil fuels.

Launched this week in Stockholm at an event that gathered families and energy industry professionals, the book represents a growing trend where corporations are stepping into the role of educator on critical issues like climate change. By translating the monumental shift away from fossil fuels into a narrative for children, Baseload Capital is not just publishing a book; it's shaping the next generation's understanding of the energy system they are set to inherit.

The Story of the Big Switch

At the heart of The Big Switch is a narrative designed to be both simple and profound. The character Fossi is not portrayed as a simple villain but as a representation of a historical force that helped build modern society, while also being responsible for the current climate crisis. This nuanced approach is a deliberate choice to foster understanding rather than just assigning blame.

"Fossil fuels are part of how we got here - but they are not part of the future we're building," said Kristina Hagström-Ilievska, Baseload's Chief Marketing Officer and the book's author, in a statement. "The goal of the book is to make that shift understandable for a younger audience, so that it becomes easier to act on."

The story explores how society can move forward by leveraging existing technologies, with a special focus on scaling up solutions like geothermal energy—a 24/7 renewable source that is central to Baseload Capital’s own business model. The first book in the series introduced Ignis, a character representing geothermal power. The Big Switch expands this universe to explain the systemic change required for a sustainable future.

This educational mission is echoed by the company's leadership. "This book is about helping children understand the system they are inheriting," stated Baseload's CEO, Alexander Helling. "If we want better decisions in the future, we need better understanding today. That starts with being honest about where we come from - and clear about where we're going."

Corporate Storytelling and Climate Literacy

Baseload Capital's initiative is a prime example of a broader movement where corporations are engaging in educational outreach as a form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and, implicitly, brand strategy. As public and political demand for climate action intensifies, companies are recognizing the value in promoting climate literacy. Such initiatives can help build a future workforce passionate about sustainability, foster public acceptance for new technologies, and enhance corporate reputation.

However, corporate involvement in education is a historically complex area. While many non-profits and educational bodies partner with companies to develop valuable STEM and environmental programs, there is also a history of scrutiny concerning the potential for marketing messages to be woven into educational content. The key distinction often lies in the transparency and balance of the information presented.

Baseload's approach appears to be a direct effort to champion a specific solution within the renewable energy portfolio. By funding and authoring the book series, the company positions itself as a thought leader and advocate, aiming to elevate the profile of geothermal energy in the public consciousness, starting at a young age.

Geothermal's Moment in the Spotlight

The focus on geothermal energy is no coincidence. Baseload Capital is a specialized investment entity founded in 2018 to finance and accelerate the deployment of geothermal heat and power projects globally. Backed by prominent investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Ingka Investments (IKEA's investment arm), the company's core mission is to unlock what it calls the world's largest untapped energy resource.

Geothermal energy, which harnesses the heat from the Earth's core, offers a stable, 24/7 power source that can complement intermittent renewables like solar and wind. Despite its potential, it remains a smaller player in the renewable landscape, facing challenges such as high upfront drilling costs and long development timelines. The global geothermal market is projected to grow steadily, but its expansion depends heavily on investment, technological advancement, and supportive policies.

Initiatives like the Our Hidden Powers series can be seen as a strategic effort to build a groundswell of support and understanding for the technology. By making geothermal energy a hero in a children's story, Baseload is helping to create familiarity and positive association with an energy source that is often invisible and poorly understood by the general public. This educational groundwork is crucial for gaining the social license needed to develop geothermal projects, which can sometimes face local opposition.

A Crowded Field of Climate Education

The Big Switch enters a growing market of resources aimed at teaching children about climate change. It joins a wide array of books from traditional publishers, as well as programs developed by non-profits like The NEED Project and Climate Kids, which have long worked to bring balanced energy and environmental education into schools. National Geographic and EARTHDAY.ORG also provide extensive resources for educators and students.

What sets Baseload Capital's work apart is its origin: it is a direct communication from an active player in the energy transition. The narrative is not just about climate change in the abstract, but about a specific pathway forward that aligns with the company's business. The launch event's focus on creating a space for "conversations about energy that rarely happen across generations" underscores the ambition to move beyond a simple storybook and foster a wider societal dialogue.

By framing the complex energy transition through the accessible lens of a children's story, Baseload Capital is making a calculated investment in the future—not just in power plants, but in the minds of those who will one day manage them.