Germany and Norway sign joint declaration on green energy

After the Russo-Ukrainian war, Germany, deprived of Russian gas on which it was heavily dependent, sought alternative energy sources to green its economy everywhere and turned to Norway, which has become the leading European gas supplier.

In a statement signed by German Minister of Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere during his visit to Oslo, it was stated that the two countries will take steps towards cooperation in hydrogen, batteries, wind power and natural gas. .

In the statement, it was stated that the two countries will cooperate in the field of underground carbon storage, which has an important role in combating global warming, and that an unspecified number of gas-fired power plants will be built by 2030. Norwegian. , instead of the coal-fired power plants that Berlin wants to close.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere stated at the joint press conference that there were difficult times in Europe due to the war in Ukraine, saying: “In the midst of the energy crisis, we see how important Norway is as a reliable supplier of gas for Europe. . But we are also evaluating how important it is for us to move to more renewables more quickly.” he used the phrase.

German Minister for the Economy and Climate Protection Robert Habeck stressed that Germany no longer has time to look for other alternatives to achieve its climate goals, adding: “Norwegian energy exports are creating a real partnership that enables further development of Germany’s energy security, hand in hand.” made his assessment.

EQUINOR AND RWE SIGN AN AGREEMENT

A memorandum of intent has been signed between Norway-based energy company Equinor and German energy company RWE to work together on the production of “green hydrogen” using offshore wind power.

The protocol also includes studies on the transport of hydrogen between the two countries through an underwater pipeline.

On the other hand, since last year, Norway has overtaken Moscow as Europe’s largest gas supplier, after most gas supplies from Russia to Europe were curtailed. The Norwegian public company Equinor was the largest exporter of gas.

Norway currently provides about 40 percent of Germany’s gas imports. Meanwhile, Habeck will be in Norway until Friday to meet with government and business representatives. (AA)