The right energy policy must give us the energy we need

This is a discussion post. Expresses the writer's position.

One of the most important tasks Norwegian policy has to move forward is to provide us with enough affordable renewable energy. Labour's goal for energy policy is crystal clear: clean, affordable energy should be a competitive advantage for Norwegian industry and business, and a good thing for the people of wintery Norway.

The Energy Commission has decided that by 2030 we should have a production target of 40 TWh of new energy from hydropower, wind, offshore wind and solar, and a target of 20 TWh of energy efficiency.

Wind energy must be built on land

Norway's annual electricity consumption is currently around 140 terawatt-hours, and we currently use about the same amount of fossil energy. We know that we will phase out fossil energy in the coming decades.

The government's biggest step was to launch a major investment in offshore wind energy. It's important and necessary, but I think most people realize that we're well into our 30s before this really starts.

The reason for this is that the right-wing government has given us several wasted years in this area. In the short term, it is absolutely essential that we succeed in extracting the potential of old hydropower and solar power plants.

But we are heading towards an energy deficit if we do not also develop good wind projects on the ground – those projects that have local support and contribute to industrial development. Wind energy is also a form of energy that provides electricity cheaper than the alternatives we can develop today.

Basic interest tax on wind energy

But to succeed, we must have local communities that want to be host municipalities, and capital that wants to invest in wind energy.

This means again that we need a balanced and predictable tax system. On 19 December, a large majority in Parliament committed to this basic assumption, through a broad cross-party agreement on a ground rent tax on onshore wind energy.

This will have a significant impact on families, industry and business in the coming years. We have done such extensive tax settlements before, and there is nothing new in the fact that offshore wings are not involved.

The job is not finished

After all, the Reconstruction Party opposes wind power and taxes, so no one is surprised to find them outside the settlement. Maybe this is a sign that we've done well.

And that SV and Rødt will not go out of their way to contribute to energy development – ​​this is in line with long-standing traditions. To my knowledge, neither party has attempted to exercise a vote on the development of power in Parliament.

In many respects we find ourselves in the same situation as we did in the 1950s and 1960s.

The key question is: Should we ensure we make arrangements to develop the energy we need, or should we not? For decade after decade, Labor has led the way in systematic energy development that has made Norway both an energy nation and an industrial nation.

It was about building the country and, in doing so, laying the foundations for our shared well-being and prosperity. This mission is not finished

Candles will dominate

Imagine if opponents of force development won every development issue?

Then we would not have “too much light and too much heat” in thousands of homes, nor would we have the energy refining industry that guarantees safe, well-paying industrial jobs.

Candles will still dominate Christmas trees as families across the country sing “Now Light a Thousand Christmas Lights” and gather for a quiet Christmas celebration, and the high electricity prices we have seen in recent years will be more of a natural state than an emergency that we must end sooner. Available time.

Imagine if they won all energy development issues in the future? Then we will not be able to decarbonize our energy system, and then we will also lose our battle against climate change.

Fortunately, that will not be the case. Labour's future energy policy will also ensure we have enough and affordable electricity.

The broad settlement in Parliament on the rental tax on wind energy bodes well for the fact that the extreme wings of Norwegian politics will not prevent it.