Norway opposes the EU proposal to set a dynamic value ceiling for pure gasoline transactions, the nation’s minister of oil and power Terje Aasland warned on Wednesday (27 October).
“Probably the most cheap technique to deal with the longer term and likewise th[is] particular scenario [of high prices] is to have a business framework the place the businesses meet and have contracts for gasoline and power,” Aasland stated in a press convention alongside EU power commissioner Kadri Simson.
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Simson travelled to Oslo to strengthen cooperation with Norway beneath the EU-Norway Power Dialogue, launched earlier this yr. Discussions coated the present power disaster, in addition to subjects like vital infrastructure, renewables, and inexperienced hydrogen.
Norway’s opposition to cost caps comes amid intense discussions within the EU over the right way to sort out power costs and defend customers from hovering payments.
EU international locations have agreed to buy gasoline collectively by way of a joint platform earlier than subsequent winter, masking as much as 15 % of the EU’s gasoline storage capability.
However they continue to be divided over whether or not and the way to restrict gasoline costs.
The fee has proposed, as a final resort, to intervene in markets and set a most dynamic value for transactions made on the Dutch Title Switch Facility (TTF) — however some EU capitals concern such a measure may immediate corporations to promote their gasoline to different areas, placing the safety of provide in danger.
EU power ministers this week referred to as on the fee to current an evaluation of how the value cap will make sure the EU’s safety of provide. “Technical work is ongoing,” stated Simson.
Since Russia minimize gasoline flows to Europe, Norway has grow to be the bloc’s largest provider of gasoline, masking about 25 % of the union’s wants.
When requested whether or not the EU-Norway Power Dialogue narrowed the hole between the events on excellent points, Simson was elusive.
The fee has established a process drive with power suppliers to “discover a resolution that helps us to stabilize the gasoline value” and takes under consideration the views of counterparts, the commissioner stated.
“In the present day’s assembly was not meant to switch this process drive’s work,” she stated.
Aasland, for his half, stated that dialogue is essential on this tough time. “I totally respect the way in which that the EU and the fee are working”.
“We’ve got been very clear. We would like an answer [to be found] in a business framework. And that’s nonetheless our message,” he additionally stated.
