– FRP will respond to the power shortage of the future, says parliamentary representative Marius Arion Nilsen (FRP). – We want to look at nuclear power, and be able to kill several birds with one stone: Ensure enough electricity, ensure low electricity prices, ensure a secure power supply and cut greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first time the Progress Party’s parliamentary group has opened up nuclear power in Norway. FRP opens up nuclear power in Norway. This illustration shows what small, modular reactors might look like. Illustration: GE Hitachi On Tuesday next week, the party will put forward five proposals in the Storting on how the government can facilitate Norwegian nuclear power. – We want the ministries to be equipped to be able to process applications for nuclear power, and we want to assess the possibilities for developing nuclear power in Norway, says Nilsen. Experts disagree on whether nuclear power is part of the solution to the climate problem. The FRP will also set aside sufficient money to enable Norway to take an active role in research into safe nuclear power internationally. – Why should Norway prioritize using resources on nuclear power over other power for which we may have better conditions? – It’s because you have a lot of big plans for power-intensive industry in the future. We are going to need more adjustable power. Nuclear power is one of the best forms of energy, while also being emission-free. – Then nuclear power is a solution we have to consider, says Nilsen. – Nuclear power is a solution we must consider, says Marius Arion Nilsen in the Frp. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB When asked how Frp intends to store the waste, the answer is that they envisage a collaboration with our Nordic neighbours. – It is entirely possible to go together with both Sweden and Finland, and look at a joint solution. This is the Progress Party’s proposal: The Storting asks the government to earmark sufficient research and development funds so that Norway can take an active role in research into safe nuclear power, and contribute to the world realizing small nuclear power plants for power systems, and as an energy source for propulsion. The Storting asks the government to investigate opportunities to participate in research projects under European and global auspices on the development of reactors MSR (melting salt reactors) and in general SMRs (small modular reactors), including also applying for full membership in the Euratom Treaty to ensure European access to research funds for Norwegian actors. The Storting asks the government to initiate a thorough survey of thorium deposits in Norway, and to present an analysis of whether thorium can be mined profitably in Norway, with proposals for how it can be carried out. The Storting asks the government to put forward a proposal for the immediate establishment of a separate nuclear power authority under OED, which will be allocated sufficient funds to build up expertise in the field and case management capacity to handle nuclear power-related cases. The Storting asks the government to investigate the need for nuclear power in Norway and the possibilities for developing nuclear power of the SMR and MSR type, especially in places where there is a large future need for power, where grid reinforcement or local power production is needed, and where this can function as a socially useful substitute or supplement for web development. Proposers: Terje Halleland (Frp) and Marius Arion Nilsen (Frp). – An expensive dead end Leader of the Nature Conservation Association Truls Gulowsen is critical of the FRP’s proposal. He believes there is no need for the construction of nuclear power plants in Norway. – The proposals appear more like posturing than concrete policy, and can mean very large public costs, he says. Gulowsen believes that Norway’s power needs can be met through energy conservation and renewable energy. Leader Truls Gulowsen of the Nature Conservation Association is critical of nuclear power in Norway. He fears it could become an expensive dead end. Photo: Marte Iren Noreng Trøen – It is never wrong to explore either possibilities or technology. But there is a great danger that Norwegian nuclear power will become an expensive blind spot and sleeping bag that delays energy saving and renewable energy. Frp should also more clearly recognize that radioactive waste must be handled for thousands of years, says Gulowsen. – We do not have sustainable solutions for this either, which must also be included in such a package of measures. – Sensitive Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) is not particularly positive about the FRP’s proposal either. He believes there is a lot that needs to be in place before nuclear power can potentially become a solution for Norway. – Firstly, we do not have the expertise. We have to build a completely new arena to be able to use nuclear power as conventional power production in Norway. He points out that it will take time to get the necessary technology in place, as well as a set of regulations that enable people to be completely confident in nuclear power. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) is critical of nuclear power in Norway. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Aasland also emphasizes that waste from nuclear power is demanding to handle. – We know that hazardous waste from industry to be stored today, which is not really that dangerous in itself, is a demanding, sensitive discussion. And waste from nuclear power plants will be sensitive. – I believe that we have so many other wonderful opportunities to develop in this country, that we should invest in it, he says. Can cost up to 50 million FRP has not decided exactly how much the proposals will cost in practice. – Some money, resources and employees need to be put in place to get this started, but these are not large costs. The income will quickly be much greater if nuclear power becomes a reality, states Nilsen. He estimates that it will cost between NOK 25 and 50 million to implement the proposals. – There are not that many people raising the flag for nuclear power in Norway. Do you believe that this can become a real debate? – Absolutely. You see that it moves in several parts. All the other parties have a huge problem. They must cut all emissions, they must electrify absolutely everything, and they have no good suggestions on how to get enough power, says Nilsen. – Having the possibility of whether nuclear power can be part of the solution investigated and investigated should be strongly opposed.
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