Minister Tiilikainen: Welcome proposal from Ollila on shared energy vision for Nordic countries
On 20 June 2017 in Oslo, Jorma Ollila presented his report on proposals for developing Nordic energy cooperation over the next 5–10 years to the Nordic Council of Ministers and to Norway’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Søviknes; Norway is currently holding the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The report contains 14 proposals for closer cooperation. According to Ollila, responding to the challenges ahead should begin by establishing a clear vision for Nordic energy cooperation.
“The Ollila report provides an excellent basis for developing Nordic energy cooperation. I fully agree with the aims. Creating the smartest energy system in the world and finding the most cost-effective solutions for the transition to a green economy will require extensive cooperation and a market,” says Minister for Housing, Energy and the Environment Kimmo Tiilikainen.
“Energy cooperation should focus on sectors in which we have common interests within the European Union, too. By cooperating in energy research and innovation we can achieve greater efficiency and impact. Natural areas of research for the Nordic countries would be smart power grids, smart cities and transport. The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM9) meeting and the Mission Innovation Ministerial meeting (MI-3) to be arranged through cooperation between the Nordic countries and the European Commission and held in May 2018 will be an excellent opportunity to present our joint expertise to a wider international audience,” says Tiilikainen.
Minister Tiilikainen also notes that Ollila’s main ideas on the electricity market are in line with Finland’s aims. It is important to develop the market together with the Baltic countries and the entire European Union.
“My own experience also supports the report's proposals for closely linking the operational work of the Nordic Council of Ministers to the EU preparatory work and the process of getting our views across,” emphasises Tiilikainen.
In January 2016, the Nordic Council of Ministers commissioned Jorma Ollila to conduct a strategic review of Nordic energy cooperation. The analysis is also part of the reform work that aims to improve the effectiveness of the Council of Ministers.
Minister of Economic Affairs Olli Rehn stated at that time that the EU’s plans for an Energy Union will bring new opportunities and challenges to the Nordic countries in the field of energy cooperation. Rehn also considered Ollila to be the best choice to head the review process on this matter which is of importance for Finland.
Additional information online:
Jorma Ollila’s report: Nordic Energy Cooperation: Strong today – stronger tomorrow
Nordic Council of Ministers press release on the presentation of the report in Oslo, 20 June 2017
Inquiries:
Jyrki Peisa, Special Adviser to the Minister for Housing, Energy and the Environment, tel. +358 50 364 0836
Riku Huttunen, Director General, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. + 358 050 431 6518
Petteri Kuuva, Industrial Counsellor, Ministry of Employment and the Economy, tel. + 358 050 331 5309