It would be negative for all of Europe if Norway scraps two power cables to Denmark, says Sweden’s Minister of Energy Ebba Busch. She wants a new union with Norway.
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1 of 2Photo: AP / NTB
“It would be a complete disaster. It will affect both Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Poland, and have ripple effects throughout the energy system in Europe,” Busch tells NTB.
Both the Labour Party and the Center Party are in favor of scrapping two foreign cables to Denmark when they expire in 2026.
“I had a conversation with (Energy Minister) Terje Aasland yesterday. That a country like Norway, which is open to the world, is now having this discussion about severing ties from parts of the EU’s energy market is a crisis.
“But I understand it; I see that this discussion is ongoing. I will do everything I can today to convey that this time it is serious,” Busch says.
Danish energy players have previously described the plans to scrap the cables to NTB as “a shame.”
New power union
Busch points out that the energy systems between Norway and Sweden are so interwoven today that what one does today has effects on others tomorrow.
“This means that if Sweden is affected by Denmark or Germany, this will also have consequences for Norway,” she says.
But the Norwegian discussion is a clear sign that the electricity market in the EU is not functioning, she notes.
“I would welcome a new Swedish-Norwegian union when it comes to energy issues in Europe. We are two countries that take climate issues seriously and set high climate goals, but also appreciate competition. We have the opportunity to be a good example and put pressure on the rest of Europe,” she says.
– Enormous hypocrisy
Busch wants to pressure Germany to establish two price areas, one in the north and one in the south. This would lead to lower electricity prices in North Germany, which has a lot of wind power, which in turn would reduce price contagion to Norway and Sweden.
Aasland has also previously stated that he is critical of German electricity policy.
Sweden is currently holding back on the construction of a cable to Germany, Hansa Power Bridge, because the Germans refuse to give up the system with one price zone, Busch states.
She is simultaneously furious with Germany, which not only has scrapped its own nuclear power plants but also obstructs other countries.
“At council meeting after council meeting, Germany has blocked other countries’ opportunities to get financing for the construction of nuclear power plants. It is a huge hypocrisy,” she points out.
Lack of controllable power
Germany’s Minister of Energy Robert Habeck did not attend Monday’s meeting. Instead, a state secretary showed up.
Germany has an acute shortage of controllable power since nuclear power plants were shut down. The power system has thus become much more vulnerable to changes in the weather. In short, Germany is dependent on the wind blowing and the sun shining.
The same is partially true in Sweden, Busch admits.
“But the difference between Sweden and Germany is that we do not pretend the problem does not exist. We are aware of it and are doing something about it. But Germany continues to pretend it is Europe’s problem,” she says.
Four cables
Norway has a total of four power cables to Denmark. The two oldest will reach the end of their technical lifespan in 2026/2027.
The Center Party has long been against renewing these two cables, and last Wednesday the news came that the Labour Party will also say no.
Neither the Red Party nor the Progress Party want to replace the cables.
Statnett believes that renewing the cables is rational because they contribute to better utilization of the Nordic and European power systems, and has asked Norway’s Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) for a study. The cost estimate is between 10 and 16 billion Norwegian kroner.