Speech at the informal EU Energy ministerial meeting

Speech at the informal EU Energy ministerial meeting, by State Secretary Per Rune Henriksen, Brüssel, 6. september 2010.

Mr. Chairman,
Thank you for the invitation.

EEA and energy
Norway is well integrated in the internal market through the EEA agreement. We have an excellent energy dialogue with the EU on energy policy.

Focus on energy consumers
Efficient competition and the freedom to choose supplier are two important means to enhance the consumer’s protection. I support  implementation of competitive, energy efficient and fair retail markets for consumers.

I very much agree that an active energy efficiency policy to the benefit for energy consumers and key energy policy objectives.

Cross-border trade can facilitate more competitive prices and contribute to security of supply. Third party access to the grid and unbundling are crucial factors for enhancing the competition.

The Nordic power market is the world’s first deregulated and integrated power market. Developing regional markets is beneficial for consumers and requires future grid developments and a continued work on regional retail market. 

Power exchange between Norway and Europe exploits the advantages of connecting the Norwegian hydro power with thermal power systems and is beneficial for energy consumers.

The establishment of an open and efficient gas market in Europe will contribute to new gas from Norway to the benefit for consumers.

Renewable energy
Norway shares the overall EU-ambitions on renewable energy which is a good for energy consumers.

The electricity generation in Norway is close to 100 percent from renewable energy sources, equivalent to 25 percent of the total EU-27 production. A renewable share close to 60 percent of consumption put us in a unique situation.

An increase in the share of renewable energy sources requires development of electricity grids. The Norwegian Government is positive to increased trade in electricity, but this will require new interconnectors and grid capacity. 

I will comment on two additional issues related to the future grid infrastructure. The focus on infrastructure is very important.

Offshore wind
In the North Sea we have seen extensive plans on offshore wind power. It is imperative that the countries with plans for offshore wind power cooperate. As a consequence, we have joined the North Sea Offshore Grid Initiative. It is important that we cooperate, in order to ensure that the offshore grid is developed in an efficient and coordinated manner.

Natural Gas
Norway strongly contributes to EU security of supply and will remain a stable and reliable supplier of gas. Norwegian gas production is today 100 BCM pr year. There could be an increase to a level between 105 and 130 BCM during this decade.

In my view the EU must send clearer signals about the future role of natural gas in relation to the energy and climate targets. Only a predictable and explicit political framework for the future of natural gas will facilitate new investments in production and necessary infrastructure also crossing borders.

Offshore drilling
Since I am not here tomorrow, I will finally like to comment on Offshore Drilling Safety. The North Sea States have very good competence regarding safety related to oil and gas activities. Specific national circumstances and competence is of key importance when designing or adjusting a regulatory regime.

Some have called for new international regulatory initiatives. We think it is premature to draw conclusions on measures, procedures and legislation before we see results of ongoing inquiries and investigations of the accident in the Gulf of Mexico.

Thank you for the invitation to participate in this informal energy meeting.