Norwegian energy politician says country must 'consider anything' to reduce electricity prices
The Norwegian Labour party’s parliamentary energy committee leader says the country should ‘consider anything’ that can help reduce energy prices amid talk of reviewing Norway’ connection to the European energy market.
Electricity prices are expected to reach record levels in Norway this week, even as the country increases its energy exports and with hydro energy stocks above average levels following a rainy autumn, news wire NTB writes.
The leader of the parliamentary energy committee, Labour’s Marianne Sivertsen Næss, told newspaper Klassekampen that the country “must consider anything” to tackle the high prices paid by consumers.
“It’s a desperate situation. I have to be honest about that. Overall it’s about a deficit of energy,” she told the newspaper.
“It has almost become a controversy to say that this system has served us well for 30 years, because it doesn’t anymore. Things are happening with energy prices now which we haven’t seen before,” she said.
The energy committee MP added there was no “quick fix” to the situation but wants the Energy Commission, appointed by the energy ministry earlier this year, to review the way Norway sets its energy prices.
The Commission was scheduled to submit its report this month but this has been delayed until February 1st, NTB writes.
“We will have to look at what the Energy Commission produces. Then we will have to make some choices based on the knowledge we are given but it is too early for me to conclude what that will be,” she said.
A renegotiation of existing export deals would nevertheless not give immediate lower prices, she noted.
“If you, for example, want to become less closely attached to Europe or renegotiate deals, that is something which would take time,” she said.
Energy prices in December are heading back to the lofty heights that were causing households difficulties earlier this year.
Earlier this month, experts said households could expect to pay around 2 kroner per kilowatt hour, including fees after energy support has been deducted. The average price in November was 140 øre per kilowatt hour.
The high prices come despite plenty of rainfall, which replenished Norwegian hydroelectric reservoirs, and warmer weather leading to fewer people using heating.
A cold snap, forecast in the Nordics throughout December, has come to pass, with the increased cold predicted to result in higher energy consumption and prices.
READ ALSO: Why energy prices in Norway will rise in December
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Electricity prices are expected to reach record levels in Norway this week, even as the country increases its energy exports and with hydro energy stocks above average levels following a rainy autumn, news wire NTB writes.
The leader of the parliamentary energy committee, Labour’s Marianne Sivertsen Næss, told newspaper Klassekampen that the country “must consider anything” to tackle the high prices paid by consumers.
“It’s a desperate situation. I have to be honest about that. Overall it’s about a deficit of energy,” she told the newspaper.
“It has almost become a controversy to say that this system has served us well for 30 years, because it doesn’t anymore. Things are happening with energy prices now which we haven’t seen before,” she said.
The energy committee MP added there was no “quick fix” to the situation but wants the Energy Commission, appointed by the energy ministry earlier this year, to review the way Norway sets its energy prices.
The Commission was scheduled to submit its report this month but this has been delayed until February 1st, NTB writes.
“We will have to look at what the Energy Commission produces. Then we will have to make some choices based on the knowledge we are given but it is too early for me to conclude what that will be,” she said.
A renegotiation of existing export deals would nevertheless not give immediate lower prices, she noted.
“If you, for example, want to become less closely attached to Europe or renegotiate deals, that is something which would take time,” she said.
Energy prices in December are heading back to the lofty heights that were causing households difficulties earlier this year.
Earlier this month, experts said households could expect to pay around 2 kroner per kilowatt hour, including fees after energy support has been deducted. The average price in November was 140 øre per kilowatt hour.
The high prices come despite plenty of rainfall, which replenished Norwegian hydroelectric reservoirs, and warmer weather leading to fewer people using heating.
A cold snap, forecast in the Nordics throughout December, has come to pass, with the increased cold predicted to result in higher energy consumption and prices.
READ ALSO: Why energy prices in Norway will rise in December
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