Melkøya has come to life in the count’s time. Gas production at the plant here in Hammerfest stopped after a fire in 2020. But now the tankers are ready to carry cargo that our European neighbors are screaming for. A Europe affected by energy crisis and war will in fact detach itself completely from Russian oil and gas. They need help with that, and Norway is showing up. When production is completely up and running, ships will be fully loaded with gas from Melkøya every five days, according to Equinor. Each ship contains almost 1 TWh of energy. That is, as much as the whole of Drammen spends in one year. – It is very important. It contributes to energy security in Europe in a very demanding situation, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland (Labor) to news. The fire at the gas plant put a stop to production. Photo: Bjarne Halvorsen / NTB Record profit for Norway after the war It also contributes to the Norwegian treasury. In the first three months of the year alone, Equinor earned NOK 169 billion. This is a new record, for the third quarter in a row. Oil and gas prices soared as Vladimir Putin launched his brutal invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Joakim Digernes-Nordström / NRKPhoto: Joakim Digernes-Nordström / news It is impossible today to say exactly how much Norway will be left with when the dust has settled, but news has asked Nordea for an estimate. They emphasize that the figures are uncertain, but estimate that Norway this year can earn as much as an incredible 1,200 billion on oil and gas. That corresponds to a little more understandable 2.2 million kroner per minute, all year round. That is four times as much as the government included in the state budget. At the same time as the need is great today, there are signals from the EU that in the long run the goal is to also detach from Norwegian gas. Warns Norway – I think it is important to say that Norway should not have too high expectations, says Michael Bloss, MEP for the Greens in Germany. – We need new gas suppliers right now. But what we really need, what we are already doing, is to get rid of fossil energy as quickly as possible. Germany has announced that we will have 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. The G7 countries have said the same. So hopefully this will be a very short transition, says Bloss. Bloss says Norway should not have too high hopes. Photo: Simen Ekern / news Time is running out to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. The EU was in full swing with its ambitious climate plans, when war broke out in Europe again. Suddenly, the first priority was to get rid of Russian fossil energy at all costs. In the short term, everything is allowed, even the climate worst coal. Today, Europe simply does not have enough renewable energy to replace all Russian oil and gas, partly as a result of the energy choices they made several years ago. The EU will not make the same mistake again. They have responded to Russia’s invasion with promises of larger and faster investments in renewable energy. There is still little doubt that gas has a role to play in the future as well. Now it is only less clear how big that role will be. – Now we really understand that the only reliable energy sources for Europe that do not create dependence are the sun and the wind. Therefore, this is the way forward for us now, says Bloss. Not worried Despite the EU politician’s plans for a short Norwegian gas adventure, the Minister of Petroleum and Energy is not worried. Europe will also need Norwegian gas for a long time to come, because it will play an important role when they are to develop more solar and wind power, Aasland believes. The Minister of Petroleum and Energy is confident of the European future of Norwegian gas. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – Then Norwegian gas will be an important foundation precisely for them to focus on sun and wind, and at the same time have energy security as a bottom line. It is important, he says. – Is Norway gambling that the EU’s climate plans will fail? – Absolutely not. We are very concerned that Europe will succeed in its climate commitments. The way we are concerned that we will succeed in Norway, says Aasland. Clear climate science The EU’s latest climate plan has also opened the door to expanding some more infrastructure for fossil energy, reports The Guardian. Among other things, several receptions for liquefied gas, such as the one on the way from Melkøya. The Arctic Princess will also transport gas to Europe. Photo: STIAN STROM / news In addition, the EU will soon vote on whether gas should be labeled «sustainable investment», on an equal footing with wind and solar. Some member states argue that gas helps them cut coal, which is even more polluting. The decision here will also have an impact on the role of gas in the future. Regardless of the EU and Norway’s plans or categories, climate science is crystal clear on what is needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, ie avoid the worst consequences of climate change. According to the UN Climate Panel, we must stop the increase in emissions before 2025. After that, emissions must be cut by 43 percent by 2030. This means huge cuts in fossil energy.
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Soon, first ship with Norwegian liquefied gas sails from Melkøya to Europe – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
