Published: Less than 30 min ago
The energy issue bubbles up when Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Störe receives his Nordic colleagues in Oslo. Störe’s suggestion that Norway may limit electricity exports in order to manage its own grid in times of low water reservoirs is viewed with concern in the neighborhood.
In an interview with Aftenposten, the Norwegian Prime Minister, who swung quickly on the issue, says he must secure access to power in Norway.
“This means that exports through, among other things, the Nordlink cable to Germany can be stopped. Exports to Denmark and Sweden can also be affected, says Gahr Störe to the newspaper.
He says it’s about safe power in particularly critical situations. Currently, the level in important Norwegian water reservoirs is much lower than normal, which may affect hydropower production. According to Gahr Störe, the Norwegian government is investigating the possibilities for limiting exports in the rules for the Nordic and European electricity market.
Mårten Bergman, unit manager at Svenska kraftnät says that the Norwegian plans are worrying and that he and his colleagues have discussed the issue internally and with Nordic colleagues.
– If it were to be implemented, it would be an extremely serious intervention in the electricity market, says Mårten Bergman to TT.
During the meeting in Oslo, which takes place in the new Munch Museum, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also takes part, who probably has some views on the Norwegian developments.
On the official agenda for the Nordic meeting are opportunities to increase Nordic defense cooperation and perhaps create a Nordic dimension in NATO when Sweden and Finland become full members. It is also about green transition and cooperation in the energy field.