Solving Europe's energy crisis with Norway's power | GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Europe's energy security hinges on Norway and its transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. That has big geopolitical implications for Ukraine and NATO.

On GZERO World, Ian Bremmer delves into Europe's urgent quest for energy independence and the broader geopolitical shifts that could redefine the continent's future. With the specter of reduced US support for Ukraine after November’s election, Europe's resilience, particularly in energy security and military capabilities, takes center stage. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre joins Ian to discuss Norway's critical role in this transition, emphasizing the need for a swift move from oil and gas to renewables, a monumental task that Europe and Norway are determined to undertake in a remarkably short timeframe. “Norway will transition out of oil and gas. When we pass 2030, there will be declining production, and then we want to see renewables transition upwards,” Prime Minister Jonas Støre tells Ian.

Their conversation delves into the ramifications of the US election outcome on NATO and Ukraine, underscoring Europe's precarious position should American support wane. The discussion reveals the continent's vulnerability to fuel crises and the imperative for a robust energy strategy that lessens dependency on external forces, notably by severing ties with Russian fossil fuels in response to the invasion of Ukraine. “Europe's ability to assist Kyiv on the battlefield will hinge not just on military capabilities but also Europe's own energy security,” Ian explains.

This is a moment of transformation for Europe as it navigates the complexities of energy transition and geopolitical uncertainties, highlighting the interconnectedness of sustainability, security, and solidarity in facing the challenges of the 21st century.

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[jaxvoice]

Norway is unusually well provided with renewable energy as well as fossil fuels. It is one of the windiest places in Europe, and rainy enough up on the mountains to have a huge storage of hydropower.

Also, the wind pattern of the Northern half of Norway don't correlate with the wind at the North Sea, so there can be high winds in this region when there is less wind further south and vice versa.

Norway is also well-connected to Sweden, with a strong North-South grid, as well as HVDC cables to England, Germany, Netherlands and Denmark (the one to Scotland on hold).

[trifio]

1) Renewable energy is the future for Europe and must be adopted MUCH faster.
2) EU must STOP buying russian gas.
3) Europe must do more for Ukraine in terms of supporting militarily. Remember that while fighting in Ukraine, Russia has NO FORCE to fight anywhere else. So yes, Europe MUST invest more, both in Ukrainian security AND its own.

[scarbot]

Norway did the transition over 100 years ago

[wayneloht]

Pretty funny, trump on paying bills, didn’t he file business bankruptcy six times? Oh that’s different of course

[speculawyer]

Norway needs to use its offshore oil expertise and transition to floating offshore wind expertise. Build thousands of offshore wind turbines and become an electricity exporter to Europe instead of an oil and gas exporter. The hydropower will act as a buffer.

[runeingebretsen]

should we go for wind or solar, jonas said, he is kidding right? there are more rain and thick clouds and fog, than there is sunny weather in norway, besides all those solar panels will take up a lot of room, and some trees must be sacreficed for the common good.

[kshen]

Sorry, EU wants to “reduce the risk” with China, although so much solar and wind energy tech available from China. It has to take its real risk.

[kshen]

EU has no independency in the geopolitical game because of USA.

[jhrusa]

Not one word about the demographic crisis, what a joke.

[hydroac]

Unfortunately for most of Europe and the Green Transition, it is neither sunny nor windy.

Sun and wind are the primary sourced of green energy. It is hard to have a Green Transition when the carbon used to manufacture the solar panels/wind turbines will never be recovered during their life span.

[kshen]

Or stop the engagement and hatred between both big pirates, USA and Russia.

[kshen]

The best solution is resuming the pipeline from Russia and withdrawing NATO enlargement.

[johnmcmullan]

Norway is a sparsely-populated, resource-poor nation massively lacking in human capital with an unfortunate geography and miserable climate on the periphery. Norway isn't ever going to power Europe. Get a grip on reality, FFS. There's a good reason why the value of Norway's currency has been steadily falling for over 10 years. Do the maths.