– I have asked NVE to make a decision with immediate effect so we can get a detailed overview of how the power producers use their water. This is what Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland tells news. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy introduces new reporting requirements for power producers in southern Norway. They want to get a detailed overview of how the companies dispose of the water that is available in the reservoirs. – We want to be sure that we avoid a rationing situation in the winter of 2023, Aasland explains. The reporting will provide a better overview of the total production capacity, as well as what assessments the producers make. The government has the opportunity to intervene if necessary. They have prepared to introduce further measures quickly if any of the plans cause cause for concern. – It can be anything from stricter magazine allocation to regulations. In the extreme, there may be export restrictions, or a combination of these. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy asks NVE to introduce measures to avoid a rationing situation for the winter. The picture shows Zakariasdammen in Møre og Romsdal. Photo: Remi Sagen / news Low filling level and high electricity prices On Wednesday, the week’s overview of the filling level in the water reservoirs was published. In the last 20 years, the average filling level in southern Norway has been 72.6 per cent. Now it is down to 47.5 percent. In addition, there are high electricity prices. In Kristiansand, the electricity price will be 2.78 kroner / kWh on Thursday. The government will make sure that the energy producers stay on the water, so that we avoid a situation where the electricity has to be rationed for the winter. Energy Norway represents the power companies. Eivind Heløe, director of the Renewable and Environment department, says that they are positive about increased reporting on the status of the water reservoirs. – We do what we can to avoid a rationing situation and understand that the authorities will have a better basis for decision-making in that situation, says Heløe. Energy Norway is positive about increased reporting, says Eivind Heløe. Photo: Øystein Andreas Bjerke / Energy Norway Confidential The information collected from the weekly overviews will not be available to the public. Aasland explains that the reason is the competitive relationship between the various power producers about which assessments they make. – The public will see how production develops in total, which they have also had the opportunity to follow now, says the Minister of Petroleum and Energy. Need a “dung summer” The new scheme will initially last until next summer. It is too early to say whether an extension will be relevant, according to Aasland. The government’s first priority is to gain control of the situation. But the Minister of Petroleum and Energy also has a desire to have the weather on his side. – We definitely need more rain. A “dirty summer” could have been the Minister of Petroleum and Energy’s main wish right now, he concludes.
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New reporting requirements will prevent electricity crisis in winter – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
