The energy crisis has increased the pressure to extend the life of the gas power plant at Mongstad, which is scheduled to be dismantled on 30 August. On Monday, news reported that the state will not assess the future of the gas power plant at Mongstad before 1 October. One month after it was shut down. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) explained that it was up to Statnett to assess the plan for the gas power plant, and that Statnett would make a recommendation in October. Peer Olav Østli, Executive Vice President for System Operations in Statnett, now announces that there is no time to wait until October. – When we are going to have measures that can help in a potentially very stressful situation, it is important that we have a good overview of possible measures and how they can contribute and the costs of them. Therefore, the decision to possibly use Energiverk Mongstad in such a situation must be seen in a larger context, he says to NTB. Equinor responds to Gisle Ledel Johannessen, press officer for land plants in Equinor – We are in dialogue with Statnett about this matter. It is technically possible to keep the combined heat and power plant at Mongstad in further operation. We look forward to further dialogue with the authorities to find operational and commercial solutions to help ensure that the cogeneration plant can be kept on standby. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) has been encouraged to intervene. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Has been an expensive “sore” The recommendation from Statnett is not unexpected. As early as June, they sent a letter to Equinor asking whether it is still expedient to shut down the gas power plant at Mongstad as planned. The gas power plant has been a costly “bite” for Equinor since its inception in 2010. After losses in the hundreds of millions over several years, they decided in 2017 to shut down the controversial gas power plant. But the decommissioning has been postponed time and time again, and lately the loss of Russian gas and questions about the supply situation have increased the pressure to extend the service life. The background is that Statnett considers that there is “up to 20 per cent truth” for power rationing for the winter. – The timing could not have been worse. Last week, the opposition to shutting down the gas power plant gained further strength when the trio Bergen nårningsråd, Nordhordland nårlenslag and Vestland mayor Jon Askeland (Sp) in a joint initiative asked oil and energy minister Terje Aasland (Ap) to to intervene. – The timing for the dismantling of the gas power plant at Mongstad could not have been worse, says leader of the Nordhordland business association, Baste Tveito, to Avisa Nordhordland. He clarifies that responsibility for Norwegian energy policy rests with the minister, and not with Equinor. Equinor CEO Anders Opedal has been clear about the same – that Equinor is a normal listed company and that the supply situation is not their problem. – It is not our task to ensure the power backup in Norway, he told NTB last week. Sylvi Listhaug acknowledged that the state has major ownership interests in Equinor and that it is “natural that Equinor takes responsibility for ensuring emergency preparedness in Norway”.
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Statnett asks Equinor to postpone the shutdown of the gas power plant at Mongstad – news Vestland
