New power cables are not «new»
Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland says it will not count as new foreign cables if the export cables to Denmark are renewed.
This despite the fact that it must be physically laid new cables if the connection is extended. The cables today carry electricity to Denmark, which is largely sold on to Germany.
«If one reinvests or replaces the two old cables with two new ones, it is not a new foreign connection. It is an upgrade, possibly a continuation of an existing foreign connection», said Aasland recently from the floor of the Storting.
It is assumed that the export cables to Denmark will expire before 2026. Statnetnet must be assessed as to whether the connection must be renewed.
Recently, the leader of the Labor Party’s own power committee told Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap), Dagbladet that the cables should not necessarily be renewed.
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Sofie Marhaug, energy policy spokesperson in Rødt, shakes her head at Aasland not wanting to call a spade a spade.
– Terje Aasland believes that new foreign cables are not new, foreign cables are newer to me. He may like to insist that the time is when it is three, but it is quite simple to check the time, she tells Dagbladet.
Marhaug points out that also Ap-topp Hadia Tajik has gone out in Dagbladet and opened up about scrapping the cables. The same did The Center Party’s energy policy spokesperson, Ole André Myhrvold, in Dagbladet before Christmas.
– It is not about an upgrade, but about physical new cables, says Sofie Marhaug categorically.
![Incomprehensible arrogance Incomprehensible arrogance](https://www.dagbladet.no/images/78300328.jpg?imageId=78300328&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=980&height=559)
Incomprehensible arrogance
– Can’t be coaxed
Dagbladet is known for the fact that the export cables to Denmark have been on the table for the electricity committee chair Nessa Nordtun. A conclusion from the committee is expected early in February, and will be voted on at the party’s national meeting later in our year.
– The answer from Terje Aasland suggests that he is trying to avoid having to do anything with this, by defining new cables as new cables, adds Marhaug.
Questions about renewing the cables to Denmark will, by all accounts, be decided during this government period. In the Hurdal platform for the government, I would like that no new foreign cables should be established during this parliamentary term. If the cables are extended to Denmark, it will be a breach of the government platform, according to Sofie Marhaug.
![Giske warns: Warns of a power cut Giske warns: Warns of a power cut](https://www.dagbladet.no/images/74721755.jpg?imageId=74721755&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&width=980&height=559)
Giske warns: Warns of a power cut
– Then Aasland cannot hide behind all kinds of news. He must be members of both the Labor Party and the Center Party in earnest; we know that pricing through special cables to Germany and Denmark is a significant part of the explanation for why electricity prices are high in Norway, says Sofie Marhaug.
State Secretary Elisabeth Sæther (Ap) answers Dagbladet on behalf of Aasland.
– Statnetnett states that the most likely will decide on reinvestment in the two Skagerak connections before 2025, and assumes that there will be a need for official processing. The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will decide on the matter if it comes to our table, she says.