Norway urged to implement EU’s Clean Energy package swiftly: EU Energy Commissioner’s warning sparks debate

– It is an obligation that we have as EEA members, with all the advantages that it gives us, Haga points out to NTB.

It caused a stir when EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson, who was on a visit to Norway on Thursday, said that Norway must introduce the so-called Clean Energy package as soon as possible.

It is almost five years since the EU adopted the package, and Norway’s slowness could have consequences, she warned.

Raised bust

That caused the Center Party’s parliamentary leader, Marit Arnstad, to rise up and refer to Simson’s statements as “unheard of”.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) stated on Friday that it is Norway who decides.

Also in an interview with NTB in October last year, Simson stated that Norway must incorporate the controversial energy package.

– Being part of an energy market means that there are common rules that must be respected, said Simson.

The EEA agreement gives Norway access to the EU’s internal market. But at the same time, it obliges Norway to follow the same market rules as everyone else. Therefore, the vast majority of EU laws must be incorporated into the Norwegian regulations.

– Shouldn’t be surprising

Haga, who is a former Sp manager, fully agrees with Simson’s view.

– What one should not be irritated by on the Norwegian side is that there is an expectation in the EU that EEA regulations will be implemented. Therefore, it should not surprise anyone that this is said from the EU side, she says.

Almost 500 EU legal acts are waiting to be incorporated into the EEA agreement. Well 60 of them apply to the energy area.

– There is a big backlog, and we are systematically arguing that there must be speed in getting the regulations implemented in an area that is important for Norway and for both the environment and climate, says Haga.

Irritation in Brussels

In Brussels, there is palpable irritation that Norway is lagging so far behind. “Cherry picking” is a term that is used.

But when it comes to the Clean Energy package, there is little to indicate that there is any particular progress. This is not least due to the fact that the energy agency Acer has been given a larger area of ​​activity, which the Center Party in particular is against. Raudt will also veto the package.

When NTB spoke to Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) in Brussels in January, he confirmed that Norway is in talks with the EU about so-called adjustments to the energy market package, but he did not want to give any hints as to when the negotiations might end.

– We work well with it, was all Aasland wanted to say.

From what NTB understands, the government plans to incorporate the package bit by bit in Norway. The simplest legal acts are drawn up first, while the more controversial ones, such as Acer, have to wait until the end.

(©NPK)

2024-03-09 09:07:44


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