EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson was taken on a tour of Telemark by the Støre government on Thursday for a closer look at Norwegian hydropower. She told how the EU is trying to phase out coal and gas from the energy mix in order to reduce emissions. More solar and wind power must be put in place, and hydropower must ensure reliable power if the weather fails. – The biggest “battery” we have in Europe right now is Norwegian water reserves, says Simson to news. The EU commissioner got to see Norwegian water reserves from a helicopter. The picture was taken over the Telemark Canal, where the power plants are located in a row. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news – You have to finish. She boasts of Norway as “a good partner” for the EU. Beyond the 2000s, Norway has become more closely connected to the energy market in the EU. Norway has become the EU’s largest supplier of gas. Foreign cables have been built to the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany to trade more power. This has raised electricity prices in Norway closer to the rest of Europe’s price level. Trading energy in an internal EU market also requires common rules, emphasizes Simson. In 2018, the Storting approved a controversial set of rules, called the EU’s third energy market package. It is often referred to as “Acer”, which is the EU’s energy agency. But already in the same year, the EU was ready to renew the rules with a larger and more complicated edition, called the fourth energy market package. The Støre government has not said anything about when Norway must join the fourth package, and the Center Party is clearly against it. Simson makes it clear that Norway cannot spend more time in the thinking box and must get the process into “fast track”. – How long can Norway wait to implement the package? – To be part of the EU’s internal market, and to ensure that the beneficial cooperation will last, there will be some steps Norway must take. This means that the legislation must be in accordance with Norwegian rules, and it must be completed, as was agreed in 2018, she says, referring to when Acer’s cooperation with Norway started. Criticizing Inertia – When? – The correct answer to that is “right now”. There has been a significant delay, and it may have some consequences, she says, and emphasizes that she has no doubt that Norwegian politicians will avoid that burden for Norway. She points out that power producers may experience barriers if the rules do not become more equal. – Access to the EU’s internal market requires that the legislation is in accordance with our rules, says Simson. The Støre government is currently working with the EU to introduce the rules, but Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap) will not say anything about whether Norway will update the regulations. – I feel that the regulations that come from the EU are being worked on well. Then we must always assess in a thorough and proper way how it is in line with Norwegian interests, he says to news. EU Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, in conversation with Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen (Ap). Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news More cables – Will there also be a need for more power cables between Norway and the EU? – We are well connected, but we must make the most of the capacity we have. And in the future, of course, there will be many more cables, says the EU commissioner, and continues: – At the end of this decade, we will have new offshore wind farms and, of course, sea cables will be needed to connect them. – So for the green shift, is it important to have more cables between Norway and the EU? – Exactly. Because these cables allow us to transport power exactly where it is needed at exactly the time it is needed, she says. Simson believes Norwegian consumers will also benefit from bringing in renewable power that the EU is expanding at a large-scale pace. Statkraft’s Nordic CEO Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal also agrees. – What we are seeing in Europe now is a large-scale development of wind and solar. It will also mean that Norway will import more power than we do today, she says to news. Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal is executive director for the Nordics at Statkraft and welcomed the EU during a visit to Vinje power plant. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news
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The EU puts pressure on Norway – believes Norway must introduce new Acer rules now – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
