In a chronicle about the electrical condition on NRK statement On August 15, Trond Giske factors the finger at NHO for initially currently being the promoter of abroad cables, and then for inquiring for electrical energy help from companies when electrical energy prices increase.
Considerably is true in Giske’s story about Norway as an energy nation and the values that hydroelectricity has provided us. A surplus of clear, renewable and cost-effective energy has been and must continue to be a aggressive advantage for Norwegian enterprises and buyers. We totally agree with this.
But the examination of the acute energy crisis in Europe, which also affects Norway, it is improper and, in my viewpoint, also unfair. Norway has experienced electrical power exchanges with overseas countries considering the fact that the 1960s, in consideration of our stability of offer and our vulnerability in the dry many years. We have a total of 17 electrical cables exterior the place.
The latter two cables have larger ability and publicity to Germany and Britain, but it is not mainly because of these cables that electrical power costs in Norway are as high as Giske could possibly look.
These cables are also not the trigger in Germany, Excellent Britain, Denmark and the relaxation of Europe with record prices. The purpose for this is the restriction of gasoline supply to Europe by Russia, which has produced a world vitality disaster that we have not professional considering the fact that the 1970s.
2022 is also a traditionally dry year in southern Norway, with little influx into h2o reservoirs from snow melt and precipitation, which meant reservoir filling in early autumn and winter was the lowest in the very last 20 several years. This makes us more, not less, dependent on electrical connections overseas.
NHO agrees with Giske in this regard, security of offer should weigh intensely, and he argues that we ought to now look at measures to boost Norway’s security of source as component of the vitality agreements we have entered into with our European neighbors. There is no disagreement in this article.
But modern amazing energy crisis, which was neither predicted nor centered on any assessment, is no time for drastic steps to transform an electricity industry that has served us very well for extra than 30 years, or to shut down our electrical connections to the overseas. I do not even realize that Giske is supporting him.
Norway now has historically superior incomes from exporting fuel to Europe at dizzying prices, owing to Russia’s limitation of gas provide. Fuel is employed, amongst other items, for electricity technology and heating in Europe, and the substantial value of fuel sales opportunities to significant electricity rates, which also has an effect on Norway.
The acute electricity crisis we are struggling with must be solved with urgent steps, the two to aid family members and organizations affected by the skyrocketing electrical power selling prices, and to safeguard the security of Norway’s strength source.
The closing verdict on overseas cables and the electrical system as a total will have to be taken afterwards.
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