Presse release

Date: 06.07.2001

Governmental decision allows two gas-fired power plants in Norway

The Government has today upheld the permits issued by the Ministry of Environment, given October 2000 to Naturkraft, to establish gas-fired power plants at Kollsnes and Kårstø.

Upholding the permits makes it possible to establish gas-fired power plants in Norway. The Government views this as important for securing Norway’s energy demand, for developing Norwegian technology and industrial expertise regarding use of natural gas and for developing Norway as a gas nation.

The Government presupposes that all use of gas in Norway is to be subordinated our commitments in the Kyoto Protocol. The Government has submitted a Report to the Parliament on Norway’s climate policy presenting a plan for ensuring that Norway meets its Kyoto commitments, including emissions from the respective gas-fired power plants.

The Government presupposes further that the development of new CO ₂-reducing technology still requires both considerable research and financial support in order to make the technology commercial available. The gas-fired power plants will utilise today’s best available technology. However, the Government signals increased support to research and testing of new technology in its Report to the Parliament on the Norwegian climate policy. The decision prerequisites that Naturkraft makes an arrangement for installing new technological solutions for extracting and capturing CO ₂ from exhaust gases. Naturkraft is further expected to participate actively in research and development of such technology.