Germany has big ambitions for the energy market in the future. The goal is for all nuclear plants to be shut down within 10 years. Renewable energy like solar and wind power will be developed on a large scale and Norwegian hydropower to help them reach their renewables goal.
Norway is interested in drawing Germany more actively into future hydrocarbon activities in the eastern parts of the Barents Sea. According to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, Norwegian Statoil and German Wintershall are discussing the possibilities for exploration drilling in the areas close to the recently established delimitation line between Norway and Russia.
“Norway sees it as very natural and important to cooperate with German companies in the Barents Sea”, Senior Research Fellow Arild Moe at Fridtjof Nansen Insitute says to NRK. The agreement between Norway and Russia on delimitation of the Barents Sea includes directives on how resources located on both sides of the border should be exploited, but disagreements can occur if large oil and gas fields crossing the border are discovered. “It would be smart if Norwegian companies had heavy foreign partners – like German companies, behind their backs”, Moe said.
Merkel is on a six-hour long visit to Norway. A joint press conference is planned later today.
