Norway and the European Union have created an alliance to help accelerate the regional energy transition and reduce emissions. Photo courtesy of Equinor
April 24 (UPI) — The European Union and Norway announced Monday that they have agreed on renewed commitments to fight climate change and promote clean energy.
The so-called Green Alliance is part of the broader European Green Deal, the bloc’s blueprint for a net-zero economy. According to this measure, the member states have committed themselves until 2030. reduce emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the alliance with Norway is a symbol of the country’s reputation as a reliable energy supplier.
“We want our societies and economies to thrive together by reducing emissions, protecting nature, decarbonizing our energy systems and greening our industries.” She said. “This Green Alliance further strengthens our bond and enables us to create a better future together.”
The bilateral agreement is wide-ranging, from offshore hydrogen and renewable energy reserves to efforts to clean up the transportation sector.
Norway is already active on the high seas. Norwegian energy company Equinor and Dublin-based SSE Renewables are equal partners in Dogger Bank, among the world’s largest wind farms in the world. The companies are looking at their options to add another 1.32 gigawatts of capacity offshore to increase the 3.6 GW already under construction.
Meanwhile, last month five companies, all Norwegian or units of Norwegian European companies, submitted applications to the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy to store carbon dioxide, a potent greenhouse gas, in Norwegian North Sea waters.
“Norway is a long-standing and reliable partner of the EU and we share a common vision of creating a climate-neutral continent,” von der Leyen added.
Von der Leyen signed an alliance agreement with Norwegian Prime Minister Jon Gahr Store in Brussels.
