In the government’s electricity subsidy proposal that came out today, it is stated that companies can receive a maximum of NOK 3.5 million in support. Thus, the proposal for electricity support is not much help for large companies. – The proposal that came now will certainly help, but it is a small help in relation to the extraordinary costs we have had, says Paul Christian Jensen in 3B Fibreglass. – A small consolation 3B Fiberglass is a supplier of parts for wind turbines in Europe. The company itself believes that they are an important contributor to the green shift. According to Jensen, the power crisis could force production out of Norway. – In the worst case, it means that our owners are not willing to invest further here. Should we have to shut down, this will be taken over by manufacturers in Asia, Jensen believes. 3B Fiberglass normally has electricity costs of around 20 million a year. Now this bill is much higher. – We are approaching 100 million in electricity costs this year. The power support will only be a small consolation, says Jensen. Approaching 800 million At the Christian sands company Glencore Nikkelverk, the furnaces have been running almost at full capacity, while the price of electricity in southern Norway has shot up. It is counted on the power buttons if certain production lines have to be cut. – As the situation is now, it is continuously assessed whether some of the products have to be cut, says managing director Nils Gunnar Gjelsten. Glencore Nikkelverk is steering towards an electricity bill of close to NOK 800 million for 2022. Last year, the company paid around NOK 400 million. – This scheme is exclusively aimed at smaller companies. We are happy that they are getting help, but for our business it has zero value. Glencore Nikkelverk in Kristiansand expects an electricity bill of close to one billion in 2022. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Luftfoto This is despite the fact that nickel products are in high demand in the market. – We tolerate it because we have a large group behind us, but if Norwegian prices are not competitive with the countries around us, then it spells trouble for the Norwegian process industry. Not aimed at power-intensive industry General manager of the Eyde cluster, Helene Falch Fladmark, says that the government’s new scheme is not aimed at large-scale industry. It is designed for small and medium-sized businesses. – The figures they are talking about are nowhere near the consumption for companies that we organize. With support of 3.5 million, it becomes a puzzle. The energy-intensive industries are not included in the scheme, says Minister of Industry Jan Christian Vestre (Ap) at the press conference on Friday. – Those who are not part of the scheme are the petroleum sector, and the most power-intensive industries which mostly already have their own power agreements and long-term fixed price agreements. The government’s electricity package lasts until the end of the year. From the new year, the plan is to offer long-term power agreements. The Eyde cluster’s call is for the Storting to improve the government’s proposal, so that the industry gets what is needed to supply what Europe needs in terms of material for the green shift. She has spoken to some of the businesses that are struggling. – For some companies, it is critical. Including 3B Fibreglass. The politicians must raise the ceiling for support. Helene Falch Fladmark is general manager of the Eyde cluster. She says the support of a maximum of 3.5 million will be a bit of a puzzle. Photo: Privat Jensen in 3B Fiberglass is ready for what is needed. – Above all, we need competitive conditions and long-term contracts, he says. NHO: – Follow-up further NHO is happy with the government’s scheme for electricity support, but will continue to work to ensure that larger companies receive more support. Managing director Ole Erik Almlid of NHO says he is happy that the dialogue with the government has produced a model that helps some of the most vulnerable companies. – We would also have liked larger companies affected to have received more support. It was not successful this time and must be followed up further, says Almlid.
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