The managing director of Mo Industripark, Arve Ulriksen, was appointed in today's cabinet as a member of the government's energy commission, which will look at the energy needs in Norway and propose measures for increased energy production.
The government has today appointed an energy commission that will survey the energy needs and propose increased energy production, with the aim that Norway will continue to have surplus production of power and that Norwegian industry and Norwegian electricity customers will continue to have ample access to renewable power.
- Access to plenty of clean and affordable power has been Norwegian industry's main competitive advantage for several decades, ensuring low electricity prices for ordinary people. The government wants this to also be an advantage in the future that contributes to value creation and employment throughout the country. That is why we have now appointed the energy commission, says Oil and Energy Minister Marte Mjøs Persen on the government's website.
The commission consists of 15 members and will be led by professor and former competition authority director Lars Sørgaard. The commission must deliver a comprehensive report to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy by 15 December 2022.
A main task for the commission is to assess what are the fundamental dilemmas in Norwegian energy policy up to 2030 and 2050, and how different political choices can affect the long-term development of Norwegian power supply.
Among other things, the assessments must be made based on an updated factual basis on the power situation 2021-22, evaluation of the electricity support scheme and the electricity grid committee's report.
- I look forward to leading this exciting and important work. We will analyze issues that are very important for Norway. I am looking forward to taking on the task together with a commission made up of members with extensive knowledge in this area, says commission leader Lars Sørgard.
The commission's mandate is linked to these five overarching themes:
How Norway is affected by rapidly changing energy markets
Perspectives for the development of power consumption
The potential for economically profitable power production
Perspectives for security of supply
Central conflicts of interest in energy policy
Besides Arve Ulriksen, the industrial commission consists of the following members:
Lars Sørgard (leader)
Øistein Andresen, Eidsiva Energi
Bård Folke Fredriksen, the National Association of Norwegian Housing Associations
Sverre Gotaas, Herøya Industripark
Anniken Hauglie, NHO
Gyro Heia, mayor of Birkenes
Silje Ask Lundberg, former leader of the Norwegian Nature Conservancy
Hans Erik Ringkjøb, mayor of Voss
Kjell Roland, social economist
Gudrun Rollefsen, Hammerfest Energi
Helene Seim, Boliden/Odda
Liv Monica Stubholt, former state secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Energy
Berit Tennbakk, social economist
Are Tomasgard, LO