Sweden, Finland and Denmark warn against a Norwegian export brake
The system operators in Sweden, Finland and Denmark have sent out a joint press release on «the importance of open borders for the import and export of power».
They write that they are “deeply concerned” that Norway’s proposal could inspire other countries to similar restrictions. They fear that it could weaken cooperation on security of supply.
It was Energy engineering who first mentioned the matter.
I think Norway ignores the benefits
The letter writers are Statnett’s sister companies Fingrid, Svenska kraftnät and Energinet. They indicate that the Norwegian government recently said that it will reduce the capacity of cables and lines abroad to protect security of supply.
“Although we (…) understand the need to ensure security of supply, we are at the same time deeply concerned that the proposed capacity reduction appears to disregard the benefits of keeping the borders open and does not seem to recognize that it is through a well-functioning marked that the security of the power supply ensures in the most efficient way», write the three system operators.
They point out in the letter that the Nordic countries have been at the forefront of developing the European electricity market and have “reaped significant socio-economic welfare gains” by handling electricity across borders.
Fears that other countries will follow suit
The three senders write that if export restrictions were to be allowed, they fear it could inspire other countries to consider similar restrictions “and thus have a much greater negative effect on both the Nordic and European electricity markets”.
– It is particularly important in times of crisis that the market is allowed to function by allowing all available resources to participate in supplying power or providing the necessary security of supply and thereby contributing to security, write Fingrid, Svenska kraftnät and Energinet.
They call on the Norwegian government to reassess the situation and not introduce export restrictions.
The Statkraft boss’s nightmare
In a debate during Arendalsuka on Thursday, Statkraft boss Christian Rynning-Tønnesen referred to such an escalation as his nightmare, to questions from the debate leader:
– We must ensure that we have water in the reservoirs. But the nightmare for me is to introduce export restrictions that are met with countermeasures from our neighboring country. That everyone becomes nationalistic and thinks only of themselves, so that Russia succeeds in throttling the energy supply to Europe, said Rynning-Tønnesen.
Equinor boss Anders Opedal also warned against solving the crisis “with solutions you get from Twitter”, such as cutting cables and stopping electrification of the shelf.
TU has asked the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for a comment on the matter. A week ago, oil and energy minister Terje Aasland (Ap) told TU that he is sure that the export restriction can be implemented, despite the fact that this is governed by EU regulations.
Thinks the EU is holding back on gas power
– Yes. We see how Europe is now doing with the gas; they hold back. They could produce more in the gas power plants, that would have been an advantage for Norway. In principle, it is exactly the same.
– But they slow down production, while you want to slow down exports?
– This is about us as a state having responsibility for security of supply, and we will do that with this management mechanism. Then there are different ways of doing it, because you have different sources of energy. Europe can manage the gas, while we have to manage in the long term based on how the hydropower reservoirs actually work, replies Aasland.