Asks for billions to secure the electricity needs of homeowners – NRK Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
– Now we see that the price of electricity can be high. But helping to use less electricity can make households less vulnerable.
This is what Bård Folke Fredriksen, CEO of the Norwegian Housing Association (NBBL), says. The housing associations represent 1.1 million members in 570,000 homes across the country.
Together with 20 other consumer, environmental, employee and industry organizations, they have come up with a proposal for the Labor Party and the Center Party, which now have government negotiations: Spend one billion kroner a year on energy efficiency in homes and commercial buildings.
At the same time, they are asking the new government to support households who may have difficulty paying their electricity bills for the winter.
«The largest power plant»
– Energy saving is the largest, cheapest and most environmentally friendly power plant we have, but it has unfortunately not been developed, says leader Truls Gullowsen in the Norwegian Society for Nature Conservation.
By using less electricity in homes and commercial buildings even today, we can release large amounts for other purposes, he believes.
– But unfortunately it does not happen by itself. We need an active policy to help people and businesses to invest to save energy, says Gullowsen.
NVE believes that power consumption will increase
NVE calculated in 2019 that the electrification of transport, more data centers and higher consumption in industry will lead to the total electricity consumption increasing by 23 TWh by 2040. At the same time, the organizations believe it is possible to save almost as much energy in buildings.
– We believe it is completely realistic that we in Norway save 20 TWh a year that can be freed from unnecessary electricity use. This electricity can replace fossil fuels in transport and industry, says Bård Folke Fredriksen.
20 TWh is twice as much as all wind power produced in Norway last year. Or over five times more than the production at Tonstad power plant in Sirdal, which is Norway’s largest hydropower plant in annual production with its 3.8 TWh.
Suggests free energy advice
Here are the proposals the 21 organizations have sent to the parties that will now form a government together:
• One billion in support annually for energy efficiency and local energy production in homes and buildings.
• Pointed support schemes against housing associations and co-owners.
Vulnerable groups must help to implement energy efficiency measures, for example through the Housing Bank
• Offer of free municipal energy advice
• Grants to municipalities and county municipalities that implement energy efficiency measures
• Higher depreciation rates for investments in energy renovation in commercial buildings
Believes housing associations and co-owners must have their own schemes
Housing associations and co-owners must have their own schemes, they believe.
– It can be difficult to get a majority for large investments in the housing association. But if you get a carrot by saving electricity and getting support from Enova, then more motives will be involved, says Fredriksen.
Asks for concrete savings plan
The 21 organizations also ask the government to present a concrete plan to save 10 tWh in buildings from the current level of 80 TWh by 2030. At least half must save during the next fire years, they believe.
Furthermore, they ask for one more long term plan for reduced energy consumption in buildings by 2050.
The Labor Party’s energy spokesman Espen Barth Eide says the party will not comment on the input while they are in government negotiations.
Truls Gullowsen in the Norwegian Society for Nature Conservation believes we can not continue to cover the demand for power by building more nature.
Will help rivers in pipes and several wind turbines
– If we manage to use the opportunities that lie in energy savings in buildings, then we can avoid putting more watercourses in pipes, avoid developing more wind power and buy coal power from other countries, says Gullowsen.
Some have challenged energy savings in the house. Over the years, Ian Bjørn Bednar in Gjerdrum has made the family’s house more and more energy efficient. Good windows, extra insulation, rock heating, control systems and solar cells have made the family more independent of the price of electricity. He enjoys it now.