Not only does the EU seek 25 per cent of Norway’s congestion revenues within the electricity grid, it also introduces an entirely new principle: that the EU can appropriate revenues generated within a Norwegian system. The EU intends to use the money elsewhere in Europe. Norwegians are to contribute to the expansion of the electricity grid in the Balkans. The EU’s energy ministers meet on Monday to discuss the new grid package.
The grid package was presented in December last year. Among the proposals from the European Commission is the introduction of a levy of 25 per cent on such revenues.
In 2025, Norway’s congestion revenues amounted to over NOK 12 billion. Parts of these are used to reduce the grid tariff for consumers.
The European Commission’s plan is to use the congestion levy for other projects, such as the development of new grid connections in Europe.
The EU seeks to centralise the development of the electricity grid and infrastructure in general. Many countries oppose this. Minister of Energy Terje Aasland has sent a letter to Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen in advance:
Aasland also opposes the Commission’s proposal to centralise the planning of new infrastructure.
Responsibility should remain with the national system operators, such as Statnett in Norway, he maintains.
“I emphasise the necessity of flexibility in planning in order to take account of different conditions in the Member States,” he writes in the letter.
More than Norway has reacted.
A number of EU countries, among them Germany, France and Sweden, have taken a negative stance towards the content of the grid package.
Like Norway, the Swedes are highly negative towards using congestion revenues to finance grid expansion. (NTB)
In order to accelerate the processes, the EU introduces a new principle: applications that are not processed within deadlines — which are set to be short — will automatically be approved. This is also a new measure that opens the way for the centralisation and concentration of power that constitute the essence of the grid package.
It is rare for the government to bristle against the EU.