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Both countries have completed laying the world’s longest submarine power cable, allowing for the exchange of renewable energy between the two countries. Its operation will commence on October 1st with the UK sending wind power to Norway and Oslo sending hydropower to the UK in return.
Oslo has hailed the £1.7bn North Sea Link is a “unique opportunity” whilst a UK minister said it will help to “forge closer relationships outside the EU”.
Norway’s energy minister Tina Bru added: “When it is windy in England and wind energy production is high, we in Norway will be able to buy cheap electricity from the British and leave the water in our dams.
“When there is less wind and a greater need for electricity in England, they will again be able to buy hydropower from us.”
Nigel Williams, project director at the British operator National Grid, which owns 50 percent of the project, added: “This is an important collaboration between the UK and Norway to get the most out of our shared renewable energy resources.”
A recent Government white paper revealed the UK would need 18GW of interconnector capacity by 2030, up from about 6GW in 2020.
But now the UK has left the EU, ministers are keen to boost relations and cooperation with non-EU members.
Whitehall sources told Express.co.uk the Norway deal was a “real Brexit win” for the UK.
They stressed the project was “significantly beneficial” to Britain’s energy sector, especially in renewables.
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This publication also understands Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is also due to sign off several large renewable energy contracts with major suppliers in the coming months.
It comes after France threatened to suspend electricity to British Crown Dependency Jersey following a row over access to UK fishing waters.
The European Union has also raised concerns of an industry target calling for British energy companies to supply 60 percent of their energy from UK sources.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed by the UK on Christmas Eve prohibits any requirement for companies to “achieve a given level or percentage of domestic content”.
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