Nordic energy ministers call for closer cooperation to strengthen energy security
The Nordic energy ministers met in Helsinki on 1 October. The main topics of the meeting were energy security and the electricity market. This year Finland holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, together with Åland. Finland was represented by Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala and, on behalf of Åland, by Minister Camilla Gunell.
The energy ministers adopted a joint declaration emphasising closer Nordic cooperation to strengthen energy security and security of supply. According to the declaration, joint initiatives and collaboration can be expanded to new areas and intensified considerably. In the face of climate change and geopolitical instability, securing critical infrastructure and developing strong operating models for regional cooperation have become more pressing issues.
“The declaration signifies a common Nordic goal: to maintain and strengthen the region’s resilience, sustainability and competitiveness – and thereby promote a cleaner and more self-sufficient Europe that is not dependent on Russian gas,” ministers Sari Multala and Camilla Gunell said.
The ministers discussed the development of energy security based on the presentations by Multala, Iceland’s Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson as well as Julijus Grubliauskas, climate and energy security officer in NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges Division.
The Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak joined the meeting online and shared experiences of maintaining supplies under extreme conditions as well as the resilience of Ukrainians under the ongoing invasion. Russia has systematically targeted and destroyed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – power plants and the electricity grid – in order to cause suffering to civilians, especially in the winter.
The ministers also discussed competitiveness, affordable energy and Nordic cooperation in the electricity market. An introduction to these themes was provided by Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities, Lars Aagaard and Terje Aasland, Norway’s Minister of Energy.
The ministers discussed the ways in which Nordic co-operation can support national efforts. Thanks to growing energy generation and robust technological expertise in the region, the Nordic countries are well-positioned to be among the world leaders in the security of energy supply and the green transition, including in the Arctic regions where the potential for renewable energy is great.
The availability of emission-free electricity at a low price has been a strength and competitive factor for the Nordic industry. A well-functioning electricity market also plays a key role. Increasing electrification, data centres and the production of hydrogen require significant investments in the transmission network and energy generation. The ministers emphasised the need to build new capacity faster.
Inquiries:
Daniela Karlsson, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 371
Maria Kekki, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 108