Several positive parts to Motvind’s proposal – E24

Various parts of the Storting support Motvind Norge’s proposal, who believes that a full review of Norwegian energy policy is necessary in the form of an energy commission.

– I think this has something to do with it, says Storting representative Espen Barth Eide (Labor) to E24.

Politicians, on the other hand, cannot promise that a policy review will fulfill the recent organization’s desire to halt all wind energy development.

Several of the members of the Storting’s energy committee believe that some wind power will be needed in the coming years. Norway will electrify the oil industry, industry and the transport sector and meet its climate targets.

– I highly doubt that the committee will come to the conclusion that we do not need wind power. But it can put wind energy in context and contribute to better processes and adaptation to local needs, says Eide.

The Center Party and SV also support a review of energy policy. The left will not reject the idea immediately. FRP will discuss the matter at the party. Conservatives, on the other hand, believe that a new review is not needed now.

SV will make proposals

Storting representative Lars Haltbrekken (SV) is in favor of Motvind’s proposal and says he will address it at the Storting.

– We will present proposals for this, says Haltbrekken to E24.

– I think it is a good idea with a wide range of energy options. One of the most important things for an energy commission of this type to consider is what we should do to reduce energy consumption and focus more on energy efficiency. We know there is great potential there, but we need to find out what instruments can activate this potential, says Haltbrekken.

However, you don’t want to close the door completely because some onshore wind power may be needed in Norway, to ensure enough power for the green change.

– I recommend taking the debate now

Storting representative Lene Westgaard-Halle (H), on the other hand, is skeptical of Motvind’s proposal.

– We did this in the 2016 energy report. So we’ve had that review. There we went through the challenges in energy policy, Westgaard-Halle tells E24.

She says there is broad agreement that Norway needs more power and does not think the new commissions and committees will come to entirely new conclusions on this.

– So we can take that debate about how much wind power we should have. I recommend Motvind to take up that debate now that he is at the Storting. I have full respect for the fact that they are against wind power, but we must also be predictable once the licenses have been granted, he says.

– The headwind will stop all new developments, is it possible?

– I don’t think it’s possible. But I think we need to toughen up a bit. It’s no secret that municipalities have not been involved enough and that licenses have been too long, he says.

– If there are two options between licensing and development and if turbines from 50 meters high become 100 meters high, I understand that the politicians in the area are frustrated. I think there will be a tightening of wind power, but to stop new developments, I don’t think that will happen, says Westgaard-Halle.

– I will not reject it

Ketil Kjenseth (V) is also unwilling to follow Motvind’s wish to stop all development of wind energy, but believes that the licensing system should be stricter. It does not close the door to Motvind’s proposal for an energy commission.

– I don’t want to reject it immediately, at least, says Kjenseth to E24.

– Not so long ago we had Energi21, which was to give advice on energy policy. But a lot is happening in a short time in this area. It can be an interesting input to establish a broad-based panel looking at energy policy towards 2030, where there may be room for activists and professionals to highlight the breadth of the discussion, he says.

Kjenseth points out the many discussions going on at the same time on energy and climate policy (see data box).

– There are many good reasons to think now, he says.

Fear delays

– I think it may have a lot to do with a general review and with observing the framework conditions in various areas within the energy field, says the parliamentary representative Sigbjørn Gjelsvik (Sp) to E24.

– At the same time, it should not be the case that everything that needs to be done is entered into a commission and in the future. I think some changes need to be made quickly in this area, especially in relation to taxes on hydro and wind power, he says.

The Center Party, among other things, has tabled proposals related to the taxation of wind power and believes that the taxation of wind power and hydropower should be seen in context.

– We believe that it should be facilitated that hydroelectric energy can be improved and that wind energy benefits more to local communities, he says.

Today, municipalities only receive property taxes on wind power, but Gjelsvik believes steps need to be taken to ensure that more remains in the local community.

– It makes sense to look at this in its entirety and see how we can secure enough energy and have a general energy and industrial policy, says Gjelsvik.

– The proposal for a separate commission is interesting, but it is something that we must discuss in the Progress Party, says Sylvi Listhaug (Frp).

The party supports the improvement of hydroelectric power and will increase local self-determination by transferring regulations from the Energy Law to the Planning and Construction Law. They will also limit the time from license to construction to five years.

The job wants a general plan

The Labor Party has long wanted a comprehensive plan for all Norwegian energy and was therefore the only party to vote against a framework plan for wind energy in 2016. When NVE presented such a framework plan last year, it ran into strong opposition, and the government quickly put it away. .

Eide believes that there is a distinction between social democratic parties that want to control the development of the energy and industrial sector based on holistic national considerations, and parties that want the market to drive development in sectors such as wind power.

– With all these tensions around energy policy, with grid rental, smart meters, the cable debate, local revolts against wind energy, the discussion about hydroelectric energy and how change should be implemented green, we need to put all this in context, says Eide.

– Norway must define its current and future need for electricity, as much of it will be electrified. We know there is potential for energy efficiency and hydropower improvement, but then legislation needs to follow in other sectors. There must be a connection in energy policy, he says.