Mr Henriksen from the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy participated at an informal EU ministerial discussion on energy development paths towards 2050 in Budapest, May 3rd.
Norway was invited to express its opinion on the “Energy Roadmap 2050” that will present options for the energy sector to reach the decarbonization target of 95 per cent cut in emissions by 2050, as well as to fulfill the agreed objectives of the EU energy policy – sustainability, energy security and competitiveness.
The Commission will present the Energy Roadmap 2050 in late 2011.
- It was very important for us to highlight that Norway has an important role as a supplier of natural gas, is a partner of the EU through the EEA Agreement and that we place great emphasis on the development of energy technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS). The meeting was an important step toward the submission of the Commission's Energy Roadmap later this year, said State Secretary from the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Per Rune Henriksen.
At the meeting, Energy Commissioner, Günther Oettinger stressed that in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supply of security and competitiveness should also be in focus. He called for a discussion on the future strategy towards 2030.
IEA Executive Director, Nobuo Tanaka presented various scenarios for the energy composition in Europe from 2035 and pointed out, among other things, that natural gas will have a natural and vital role.