- I have given notice to the EU-commission thatNorwayis going forward with adopting the renewables directive into the EEA-agreement. With this stepNorwayconfirms its position as a major nation in the field of renewable electricity, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Thorhild Widvey.

According to the renewables directive each EU member state must set an indicative target for the share of renewable electricity in 2010. Norway has a higher share of renewable electricity than any of the EU member states, and the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has indicated a target for Norway of 90 percent renewable electricity in 2010. In line with government policy this calls for a significant increase in the production of renewable electricity.

The renewables directive also requires each country to offer guarantees of origin to producers of renewable electricity. The guarantees of origin are proof that the electricity produced is renewable, and can be traded between countries. Norwegian power producers have for several years been active in international trade with different guarantees and certificates from renewable electricity. As early as fall 2003 the Ministry established a system for guarantees of origin. The implementation of the directive may now give power producers easier access to the international market for guarantees of origin.

The renewables directive is in principle not a part of the EEA-agreement. The Norwegian government has nevertheless wanted to play a part in the international developments in this field. Norway has rich natural resources that can give comparative advantages in the international market, and at the same time contribute to an environmentally friendly energy supply.

Link to the renewables directive