EU, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum | Vedum puts its foot down for the EU’s controversial energy package

– What is the whole core of the Center Party is that we do not want to give up more power over energy policy, Vedum asserts to the Nation.

The debate about the EU’s fourth energy market package has escalated after the EU put pressure on Norway to introduce parts of the package, the so-called renewables directive, by 13 August.

The EU has threatened punitive measures if Norway does not meet the deadline.

The directive is controversial because it involves the development of renewable energy at a rapid pace. In addition, the critics fear that the municipalities will lose their right of veto in wind power cases.

– Do you think that the renewables directive transfers power to the EU in energy policy?

– It is the entirety of the EU’s fourth energy market package, where we give up more control, that the Center Party is against. And we will work against that, says Vedum.

– Must see the whole

Despite the fact that the Center Party is against the EU’s fourth energy market package, the government has been in dialogue with the EU on the matter for a long time.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) has previously stated to the Nation that the government wants to divide the package and introduce one element at a time.

However, Vedum is clear that such a strategy is not relevant for the Center Party.

– You have to see the whole in it, says the party leader.

Arnstad refuses to comply with the EU’s deadline

– Man cannot introduce only parts of the package?

– It is the entirety of the EU’s fourth energy market package that we are so against. That is where the party stands, and the whole point is that we should not give up more control over energy policy.

Facts about the EU’s fourth energy package

* Was adopted in the EU in 2018 and 2019. Also called the Clean Energy Package.

* Consists of eight different legal acts, including:

– A renewables directive which enshrines in law that at least 32 per cent of the energy mix must be renewable by 2030.

– An energy efficiency directive with a target of at least 32.5 per cent energy savings by 2030.

– A directive for energy saving in buildings.

– A revised regulation for the energy agency Acer (Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators), which gets a greater role and more authority.

* It took a full ten years before the EU’s third energy package was incorporated into the EEA regulations. It became part of Norwegian law in 2019.

Source: NTB

– Shall serve Norwegian interests

Vedum points out that the EU regulations Norway has already agreed to mean that the state cannot take action on power exports on the basis of price.

– The Center Party strongly opposes going further in that direction, he says.

Støre: The EU does not set a deadline for Norway

– So the Center Party cannot sit in a government that introduces some parts of the EU’s fourth energy market package?

– It is not about whether we will be in government or not. It is about us being in government and contributing to decisions that serve Norwegian interests.

– Can you guarantee that the renewables directive will not be introduced by 13 August?

– I can say what the Center Party thinks…

– But you are in government?

– Yes, and the Center Party will mean what we mean – that we should not give up national control over energy policy. That is our position.