– We have to do something so that we avoid the big differences between north and south. Because it creates major problems for us in the south, with enormously high power prices at the moment. That’s what Høyre’s mayoral candidate Ove Horpestad says in Klepp municipality. The price differences between the parts of the country became colossal after the energy crisis hit Europe in 2021. – The cost picture has changed dramatically, notes Horpestad. At this weekend’s Høyre national meeting, Rogaland therefore asks the party to work to “even out price differences in electricity between the parts of the country by strengthening transmission capacity.” This is how price differences have exploded in Norway Until the energy crisis from 2021, the price difference between Northern Norway and Southern Norway was minimal, according to Nordpool’s price history. The power grid from the parts of the country is intertwined with transmission connections between northern Sweden and southern Sweden. The bottleneck in the transmission capacity did not become visible in the form of price differences until 2021. Then the price differences exploded. Southern Norway was more closely connected to Europe with power cables to Germany and Great Britain, which have traditionally been more expensive price areas than southern Norway. At the same time, the price of gas and coal in Europe rose, in addition to the CO2 tax. The gas and coal power plants produce the most expensive electricity in the electricity market. This raises electricity prices in southern Norway, even though the region produces far cheaper hydro and wind power. Last year, the electricity price south of the Sognefjord was four times as high as up north, according to Nordpool. The reason is that Northern Norway has received more wind power and thus a greater power surplus. At the same time, southern Norway has been infected by record high electricity prices from fossil energy sources in Europe. The bottleneck in the power grid has been worsened by the fact that less power has been transferred on the Swedish side, both from northern Sweden to southern Sweden, but also from southern Sweden to eastern Norway, according to Statnett. Wants more cables for the sake of the competition The right-wing politician is a gardener himself and shows news the hydrangea plants that are grown at Bryne in Rogaland. Electricity is the biggest bill his company pays. Horpestad has no doubts about what is the best argument for reducing the price differences: – To solve the unfair feeling we feel – that it should be the same to run a shop in Norway regardless of where you are located, that is an important and good argument , he says. CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR: Ove Horpestad at his nursery in Bryne. Photo: Vetle Mørch Tvedt / news Horpestad’s greenhouse has, unlike most businesses, ended up under the electricity support scheme for the green industry. Nevertheless, the bill is twice as high as before, and far higher than the competitors north of the Sognefjord. – Today there are enormous differences. When we have to make our plans here, we face internal competition that somehow doesn’t feel right, says Horpestad. The Horpestad county association is not alone in putting forward such a proposal. Agder Høyre and Senior Høyre also want more power to flow between the parts of the country. Skepticism in the north Statnett has believed for years that the transmission capacity between northern and southern Norway should be expanded to ensure a better flow of power, and will speed up the plans. But politicians from the part of the country with the cheapest electricity are opposed. Ap deputy leader Bjørnar Skjæran said last year that it is “out of the question” for fear of putting central Norway and northern Norway in the same predicament as southern Norway. Conservative Storting politician Bård Ludvig Thorheim from Nordland warned in Harstad Tidende against Statnett’s plan. Thorheim is less assertive today and emphasizes that increased transmission capacity between north and south is in any case a long way off. Power cables will take 8–10 years to build out, according to Statnett. – That is the main challenge. That is why the entire Conservative Party is behind the fact that we must have much faster network development. That means we can use the electricity more rationally, he says. The party leader is slipping The gardener in Rogaland gets the same electricity bills as business in the rest of southern Norway. It is a huge challenge, admits Conservative Party leader Erna Solberg. Her answer to the challenge is to build out more power. That is why the Conservative Party has put forward a twelve-point plan to procure more energy. The party believes that it is possible to process and develop both wind, solar and water more quickly than today. The Conservative Party’s 12 proposals for more power Wind power Light up phase I and II of the development at Sørlige Nordsjø II now. In the situation we are in now, it makes no sense to wait to develop half of the field. One should also consider whether more than 3GW can already be developed on this area. Quickly realize projects such as Trollvind and Snøheia Industrikraft. Both of these projects could be in production by 2027 if they are licensed quickly. Change the structure of the proposed ground rent tax on onshore wind power – if it is to be introduced at all – so that it is effectively neutral both for existing and new power plants. Carry out the changes in the Planning and Building Act that give the municipalities a hand on the steering wheel in the location of new wind power plants. Solar energy Raise or remove the 500 KW limit for sharing electricity between housing units in housing associations and multi-family dwellings. This has been adopted by the Storting following a proposal from the Conservative Party in October 2022, but the government has chosen to postpone implementation. A model for sharing excess production and settlement of electricity needs to be put in place quickly. Include battery solutions and systems for smart management of electricity from solar cells in Enova’s support schemes for households, local energy areas and businesses. This results in smaller and more affordable grid investments, provides a more rational utilization of the electricity, and reduces power peaks in the grid. Make a requirement that all public buildings be surveyed with a view to establishing solar power plants where suitable. Hydropower Realize more hydropower from small power. The Small Power Association calculates a theoretical potential of 17.5 TWh by 2030. Thema believes that small power is one of the things that can deliver the most power in the shortest time. The high price contribution of 23 per cent for power above 70 øre must be phased out in 2024, regardless of the budget or power situation Norway finds itself in at that time. This is important for the power companies to prioritize power upgrades and new pumped power plants, which will be greatly needed with a greater element of unregulated power in the countries around us. Energy efficiency Increasing efforts through Enova, both for companies and households. Grid Shorten the license processing time for both new power generation and the grid, including implementing the measures in NOU 2022:6 Grid in time (Nakstad committee) Introduce digital solutions that increase the utilization of existing grids. (Source: Høyre) Solberg is also advocating for the development of more transmission cables in the future and networks internally in Norway. – All along the coast we now lack grids for many of the large industrial projects and power that is delivered, she says to news – and points out that there is a plan to increase transmission capacity. – But it will take a long time. We must be aware that even in Northern Norway we will lack power for the large industrial projects. The answer is not simply to redistribute the power we have today, because that takes quite a long time. The fastest thing is for us to build out more power. Solberg is also striking a blow to expand solar power and be more efficient in the way we use energy. – The most important power is the one that each of us does not use. – By increasing the transmission capacity, don’t you want to ensure southern Norwegian power prices in northern Norway? – Yes, but we will eventually lack power in Northern Norway as well if we do not develop more power up there. Then it may happen that northern Norway needs the southern Norwegian power as a balance as well. The proposals will be voted on at the Conservative Party’s national meeting this weekend.
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The right-wing party wants to mitigate the price shock with more power cables to the north – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
