Aker top Øyvind Eriksen has clear expectations for the new government.
FORNEBU (Nettavisen Økonomi 🙂 There is little doubt that Kjell Inge Røkkes Aker follows Norwegian politics closely.
A few days before the election, Chairman of the Board Røkke, CEO Øyvind Eriksen and Group shop steward Atle Tranøy wrote a post in DN with its wish list for future business policy.
“Aker Horizons has big plans for the next parliamentary term,” the trio writes, among other things.
Included in the wish list are:
- Increased government funding for the development of new, green projects.
- Quick politicians who can be both driving forces and facilitators of the green shift.
- The state should learn from the industry’s need to use technology and digital platforms, for example in the health sector.
- Consumers must change their behavior, and the state must push consumers to change their buying patterns and consumption through financial incentives. Increased CO2 tax may be a necessary tool.
Also read: Nina Jensen about Norwegian oil cuts: – It will take time, be painful and expensive
– Rødt’s policy will not work in practice
The online newspaper Økonomi meets Aker’s CEO Eriksen at Pareto Securities’ energy conference at Fornebu. He says that the expectations of the current government, which many expect will consist of the Labor Party, the Center Party and possibly the Socialist Left Party, are that they see the possibilities and facilitate a new industrial adventure in Norway.
– Then clarity is required in framework conditions and support schemes for hydrogen, offshore wind, carbon capture and fish farming at sea, among other things. These are industries that are central to us, says Eriksen.
The Red Party made a by-election, and increased support from 2.4 percent to 4.7 percent from the 2017 election to Monday’s election. This means that the number of Red seats in the Storting increases from one to eight.
The online newspaper Økonomi asked Rødt profile Mímir Kristjánsson for a greeting to the Pareto Securities conference on Wednesday, and received a cash answer:
– You can greet them and say that the party for the rich is over. Now is the time to pay for the welfare schemes we all depend on if you have a high income, high wealth, large inheritance or large corporate profits. They have every reason to stay awake at night, says Kristjánsson.
Among other things, Rødt will increase taxes for the rich and corporate profits considerably. The party will stop all new wind power on land and at sea, and will phase out private sales of farming permits. In addition, the party wants the state to buy up listed companies such as Equinor, Hydro, Telenor, Yara and DNB.
– Are you worried that Rødt, which will increase taxes considerably and nationalize parts of the business community, will have more influence in Norwegian politics?
– Rødt’s policy will not work in practice. For what is missing is the revenue side. Without revenue growth, no restructuring, says Aker’s CEO Eriksen.
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He says that he is happy that industrial development and job creation were central to the political debate in the run-up to the election. It is a good starting point for reuniting an ambitious industrial policy in the years to come, Eriksen points out.
– Are you surprised that the MDGs do not seem to be able to break the barrier, given that climate was one of the biggest issues this election campaign?
– I have no view on individual parties’ results. I am concerned about which issues the individual party is aiming for. We are expectant of the new government, says Eriksen.
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Concerned about rising electricity prices
In a panel discussion with Hydro’s CEO Hilde Merete Aasheim, Yara CEO Svein Tore Holsether and Kjetil Houg, CEO of Folketrygdfondet, Aker’s CEO expressed concern about rising energy prices.
In Norway, the price of electricity has been unusually high this year. Figures from Statistics Norway show at electricity prices rose by as much as 12.5 per cent in August, and in one year electricity prices have doubled. International is gas prices sky high. The oil price is also at a high level, and on Tuesday a barrel of fuel oil costs around 74 dollars.
Several believe that European electricity prices have not reached their peak this year, as a cold winter will require even more electricity for heating.
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Aker’s CEO Eriksen believes there is a real risk that energy prices will continue to rise in the years to come.
– In oil and gas, we have seen massive underinvestment for many years now. In general, the CO2 price has come to stay, at least in Europe, and it is rising. The green shift will also require huge investments, says Eriksen and continues:
– Ultimately, someone has to pay for this, and it will affect electricity prices.
– Where do you think the oil price is going?
– In Aker, we have stopped thinking about the oil price and other energy prices. But we plan for the oil price to vary. That is why we must operate in the most efficient way possible, says Eriksen.
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