(Oslo) Norway, generally a major electricity supplier for Europe, may reduce its exports in the event of a sharp drop in its hydroelectric reservoirs, the government announced on Friday, prompting the vigilance of the European policeman in the sector.
Drawing almost all of its electricity from its approximately 1,700 hydroelectric installations, the Scandinavian country is very dependent on the level of precipitation to run its economy, heat and transport, being in particular a champion of the electric car.
To protect against the risk of rationing, the government presented measures on Friday that could go through a drop in electricity deliveries to Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland. in the event of a critical drop in the level of the country’s water reservoirs.
“In the most extreme circumstances, we can set limits for connections with foreign countries”, that is to say the cables which connect the Norwegian electricity network to those of European countries, declared the Minister of Petroleum and of Energy, Terje Aasland, during a press conference.
“It is a powerful tool that can be considered when there is a real risk of rationing for Norwegian households and/or groups,” he explained.
Although it is not a member of the European Union, Norway is closely associated with it through its membership of the European Economic Area (EEA), which provides for the free movement of services and goods, including electricity, between States. members.
The planned measures are “in line with EEA rules”, assured Mr. Aasland.
In response, the European Supervisory Authority ESA said that “any measure that could lead to restrictions on the domestic energy market in the EEA is worrying”.
“The ESA will carefully assess the measures envisaged (by Oslo, editor’s note) and will initiate a dialogue with Norway about them,” said its spokesperson, Jarle Hetland, in an email to AFP.
Faced with the low level of its water reservoirs due to relatively dry weather, the Minister had already mentioned last summer the possibility of reducing electricity exports and invited energy groups to favor the raising of reservoirs rather than trying to take advantage of high prices by producing more.
This announcement had earned him criticism from electricity network operators in other Nordic countries, where electricity bills soared after the reduction in Russian gas deliveries.
In concrete terms, the government is today proposing to enshrine in law the responsibility of electricity producers with regard to security of supply, to oblige them to develop strategies to this end, and above all to give the authorities the possibility of Intervene in the management of water resources in the event of a risk of shortage.
In 2021, Norway exported a record 25.8 TWh. After deducting its imports, its net exports had amounted to 17.6 TWh, according to the national statistics institute SSB.