HOLMENKOLLEN (Nettavisen): With the fog hanging over Holmenkollen Park Hotell, heads of state, business people and organizations discuss energy and climate. The traditional hotel houses the very top-heavy event Oslo Energy Forum, all well guarded.
The US’s special envoy for climate, John Kerry, is among the leaders who are currently discussing the major topics. Kerry says that Norway is leading the way in climate work. But Kerry’s message is nevertheless crystal clear: The oil age is over.
– We must include a number of renewable forms of energy in the future’s energy mix. Nuclear power is one of the forms of energy that will be needed, says Kerry.
Hesthammer: – The government must look up
CEO Jonny Hesthammer of Norwegian Nuclear Power is happy to hear that.
– During COP28, the US climate envoy, John Kerry, stepped into the breach when more than 20 countries signed an agreement to triple the amount of nuclear power in the world. The signal effect of the USA stepping up to promote nuclear power is hugely important, and it is incredibly good that he is promoting nuclear power as part of the future’s energy mix, says Hesthammer to Nettavisen.
– Now the government must soon look up and realize that Norway will also benefit from nuclear power in the energy mix. It is about safeguarding both nature and security of supply. The latter is becoming increasingly important as geopolitical instability in the world increases. The USA has understood that, and Norway should now also understand that.
Støre: – Not profitable for Norway
However, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) is not on the same page as Kerry and Hesthammer. Støre tells Nettavisen that nuclear power is all well and good, but still not right for Norway.
– Kerry is absolutely right. Nuclear power is part of the global mix. That share will grow, but it will not be more than 20 percent of the mix. Norway must make its own assessments. The advice of the energy experts I meet say that the countries that have experience with this should invest in it. Norway does not have that, unlike Sweden, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands, says Støre to Nettavisen.
Wind to land and water, on the other hand, are circumscribed.
– We have a greater opportunity to develop renewable power in connection with hydropower, wind on land, wind at sea and other new technologies.
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