– The price differences between east and west are particularly unfortunate. Statnett must consider canceling one or more price areas, is the clear message from Geir Pollestad (Sp). The parliamentary representative from the Finance Minister’s party sits on the Finance Committee. He has been elected from Rogaland – a county in the electricity price area of South-West Norway (NO2). The electricity price there has at times been the highest in the country. Higher than in Southeast Norway (NO1). The electricity has often cost one kroner less per kWh here (see map further down in the article). Geir Pollestad (Sp). Photo: Odin Omland / news The SP politician admits that there probably needs to be a price difference between the south and the north, but thinks the difference in southern Norway is illogical. – It is not our lord who has given us five price ranges in Norway. Statnett has decided that itself. In southern Norway, you should have relatively equal prices and competitive conditions for business, he says. Pollestad calls the electricity price in the west a “very special burden” for businesses and residents. Does it cost more to make stick meat for Christmas this year The butchery and meat processing company Fatland is well aware of the current price differences. The plant in Sandnes uses 10 million kWh a year. Co-owner and sales manager Vidar Fatland is standing in the middle of a room with stick meat being dried. – If there is a difference of one kroner between the current zones, there will be 10 million kroner more here, he says. Co-owner and sales manager in Fatland, Vidar Fatland, believes it shouldn’t be as difficult to do something about the electricity price range as everyone wants it to be. Photo: Arild Eskeland / news Sandnes is in South-West Norway (NO2). Fatland is among the businesses that seek better competitive conditions elsewhere in the country. – If nothing drastic is done, we will move jobs and production to a cured meat plant under construction in Oppdal. It is in a different current zone. It’s a bit sad, as long as we have great production here, he says. The electricity prices for one kilowatt hour in the various price areas in the period 24 July to 24 August. (Source: NordPool) The electricity price increase has gone so fast that Fatland is unable to make up for it through higher prices in the market. Storting politicians from Sp and Ap in the stream region Sørwest recently discussed the matter. Representatives from Vestland, Sogn og Fjordane, Rogaland, Agder and Telemark were invited. Ap is more reserved than Pollestad. Labor politician Tove Elise Madland nevertheless admits that the situation is particularly demanding for business. – For my part, the meeting was a “listening meeting” where no conclusion was reached, but several thoughts were expressed, says Madland. Statnett: – Must have a price range Statnett’s executive director for power systems and markets, Gunnar G. Løvås, understands that the situation is demanding. He still does not give hope to either Pollestad or Fatland. Gunnar G. Løvås, executive vice president for power system and market at Statnett. Photo: Jarle Nyttingnes / Statnett In Norway, it is essential to have a price range in order to have a balance between power production and consumption, he says. – We must ensure that power is produced in the vicinity of where the power is used, and we achieve this through this market mechanism, he says. Løvås says it will take a long time to do something about the differences. – We have to invest a lot in the power grid. We have to force someone to produce and pay others not to. And we have to say no to many more industrial plans around the country because we can’t make it stick together. It is better to look at different support schemes if you want to compensate for what is perceived as unfair, he says. He says electricity prices in Norway have been pretty much the same for the last ten years, with the exception of the last few months. War and the energy situation in Europe make it difficult to say how long it will last. – But we expect that at some point in the future there will be relatively similar prices, he says. Will reduce bottlenecks Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) has no plans to merge price areas now. – It is important that it is the energy authorities that do it, and that it is not done because of political thoughts that this is a good solution, he says. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap). Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Norway now has too little power. At the same time, the power grid is not built to control the power in any other way. There are both bottlenecks and care must be taken in the power system so that the power flows where the power is supposed to go, according to Aasland. – We want to reduce bottlenecks and ensure a good flow of power and the same price as possible throughout the country. It is the government’s very clear goal that we should have sufficient access to affordable energy throughout the country, he says.
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Eastern and Western Norway should have the same electricity price, says Geir Pollestad (Sp) – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
