EU green line might spur new Arctic energy production
The major EU stress on renewable energy production will eventually make Norway develop wind power along its Arctic coast and improve transmission capacities from the region, a Norwegian researcher says.
In a new report, researcher Inge Berg Nilssen from the Norut Alta institute writes that green Arctic energy will be essential for the EU in reaching its ambitious goals on alternative energy generation.
Today, insufficient power transmission capacity from the northernmost areas in Norway hampers the development of new regional green energy projects.
That is likely to come to an end, Mr. Berg Nilssen says. He believes the EU eventually will put pressure on Norway to increase transmission capacities, which subsequently also will open up for new projects. He is also confident that the required new transmission lines, which today are considered unprofitable, eventually will be built.
-The EU directive on renewable energy will have major consequences for power production and energy transmission all over Europe, Mr Berg Nilssen says to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. –In this connection, renewable energy from the Arctic region will be a key element, he adds.
The improved south-bound transmission lines from Arctic Norway could eventually also facilitate the linking up of Russian energy with Norwegian and Nordic consumers. Murmansk Oblast has long been a surplus producer of power and has been eager to step up sales to its Nordic neighbors.
As BarentsObserver reported this week, the Russians have modernized the transmission lines leading to Norwegian border. That opens up for increased cross-border energy trade. With new transmission lines also on the Norwegian side, the conditions for new regional generation projects will definitely be prepared.
Read the report at Norut Alta’s website (in Norwegian)
