Opining of Draka Norsk Kabel

The Minister og Petroleum and Energy Mr. Terje Riis-Johansen`s speech at the opening of Draka Norsk Kabel in Drammen 18th of November 2009.

Thank you very much for inviting me here today

The Copenhagen-Climate Change Conference is now less than a month ahead of us. The Norwegian Government has always aimed at an international legally binding agreement that will limit global warming to two degrees, compared to preindustrial levels.

We, the developed countries must take the lead in the global efforts to reduce green house gas emissions. This is why the Norwegian Government is willing to commit itself to an ambitious climate target corresponding to a 40 per cent cut in emissions from the 1990 level by 2020

We hopethis can contribute to an agreement on an ambitious climate regime that includes specific emissions commitments on the part of the major emitters.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take part in the presentation of IEA “world energy Outlook 2009”.

According to the IEA, primary energy demand will increase by 40 per cent from 2007 to 2030.

Our answer to the climate challenge is among other things to
developmore of our renewable energy sources

To achieve this, investments in grid infrastructure and interconnections will be necessary

Such investments will also contribute to our  energy security and balance

Draka’s subsea cables make it possible to develop more renewable energy as well as transmitting communication signals

Subsea cables are also necessary to support offshore petroleum installations with power from land. More electricity  from landbased renewable sources will contribute to reducing the CO2 emissions from the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

I am very pleased that an international company like Draka decides to locate new investments in Norway

This factory is evidence that Drammen has the right competence and an outstanding industrial environment . In fact Drammen is a Norwegian hub for electrotechnical manufacturingwith a long proud history of producing goods and services for a demanding energy sector. To maintain such a position over decades it is necessary to build competence and promote Research and Development.

One of the successes behind Draka Norsk Kabel is close cooperation with Norwegian Research and Development Institutions, Universities and University colleges.

Last year I had the pleasure introduce a state funded research program with 8 different institutions. This program is planned to last for 8 years and each institution will receive around 20 million kroner annually. One of the main intentions of the program is to encourage research institutions to enter into close cooperation with the industry, such as Draka Norsk Kabel.

Offshore wind power is definitely an market for the subsea cables of Draka is meant to be used. In that respect it is worth mentioning that this summer, I presented a draft law on offshore renewable energy

The document also includes a strategy for offshore power production.

o The proposal creates a framework for how we shall manage ocean areas for offshore power production. 

o The process of identifying areas that can be used has started.

The draft law and the strategy create the regulatory framework for offshore power production

On behalf of the Government, I congratulate you with this new factory.

I wish you the best of luck

By this I declare (together with Frank Dorjee) this new production facility for officially opened.