“Urgent co-operation needed on offshore wind power if Nordics are to be leaders”
There are considerable advantages in expanding offshore wind power as the Nordics transition from fossil-based to renewable energy systems.
At its summer meeting in the Faroe Islands, the Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region discussed how the countries could benefit from each other’s experiences and knowledge during this ongoing rapid development.
Important signal to the business community
“We need to urgently transform our energy systems and become independent of fossil-based energy. We can benefit greatly from each other’s expertise and experience in order to facilitate the quicker establishment of offshore wind power. This is an important signal to the business community that we want to be a leading force in this area,” says Emma Berginger, Swedish MP for the Green Party and member of the Nordic Council Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region.
The countries have come a long way
For example, Denmark is way ahead when it comes to bed-mounted wind power, while Norway is heavily involved in the technical development of floating wind power.
Although there’s considerable interest throughout the Nordics in establishing offshore wind farms, the plans are slowed down by drawn-out permit processes, technical challenges, and safety and environmental issues.
The Centre Group’s proposal is to urge the Nordic governments to work together on offshore wind power. The proposal was widely supported by all the party groups in the committee.
Continue to work together on power networks
The committee feels that the authorities in the Nordic countries should share their knowledge and experience of permit processes.
Co-operation on research, development, and innovation at Nordic colleges and universities should also be bolstered.
In addition, the committee wants to strengthen co-operation between the national power grid companies in order to integrate the Nordic electricity networks.
“Enormous potential”
“There’s enormous potential in generating more renewable energy, reducing emissions, and adding value to our sea breezes. If we’re to truly bring about synergy effects, all the Nordic countries must combine their knowledge, expertise, and energy,” says Lene Westgaard-Halle, parliamentarian in the Norwegian Storting for the Conservative Party and member of the Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region, who continues:
“I’m particularly pleased that the committee is unanimously emphasising the importance of power exchange between the countries and the necessity of interconnectors between the Nordic countries if we’re to succeed.”
