From NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT

By Paul Homewood

h/t Philip Bratby

Kathryn Porter raises new issues concerning our reliance on electricity from Norway:

We’ve known for a few months that Norway’s political parties are backing away from exporting power to Europe and the UK. When we are short of power, importing over the interconnector has the knock-on effect of pushing up prices in Norway, which the public there are naturally getting sick and tired of.

It has got to the stage where they are prepared to ignore EU rules.

Now there is another spanner in the works, as the Telegraph reports:

There is a real chance that Norway will run out of water this winter, meaning it will not be able to maintain electricity supplies to Great Britain. Norway could be forced to restrict exports under new powers which allow them to be restricted if there is a prospect of hydrological shortages. And not just once the shortages manifest.

With elections to the Norwegian parliament on Sept 8, this is a hot button issue – as low water levels lead to high prices for consumers.

Reservoir levels in southern Norway are now well below the 20-year average and heading towards 20-year lows. This is hugely concerning. Norway has almost no pumping capability which means that once the water has been used, it will not be replaced until it rains or the snow melts.

The south of Norway is the main region of tension. This is where the interconnectors to Britain and Germany land, and where the population is highest.

Since these two interconnectors opened in 2021, the region has seen higher prices. The issue of high and volatile prices has led to them becoming an issue of concern among the general public.

Earlier this year, the governing coalition collapsed when the Centre Party left over disagreements with the Labour Party over interconnectors and energy policy. The Centre Party opposed implementation of the EU 4th Energy Package which is a legal requirement, and wants to cancel the interconnector deals with Britain and Germany.

One point Kathryn makes is that Norway does not have any pumping capacity, so once the water has gone, it has gone.

I have repeatedly complained about Britain’s increasing reliance on importing power, which makes a mockery of Miliband’s claims of energy security.

Now the birds could be coming home to roost!