Norway’s parliament has instructed the government to consider using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology as an alternative to electrification in reducing carbon emissions at the country’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, the Melkoeya LNG plant, as reported by Reuters on April 18. The Melkoeya LNG plant is one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide in Norway. The project has been controversial due to concerns about its impact on green industry development, power prices, and the rights of Indigenous Sami reindeer herders. However, the parliament did not call for a complete halt or delay to the electrification project, which is being pursued by Equinor [EQNR:NO] and its partners, Total Energies [TTE:FP], Wintershall Dea [DEA:GR], Neptune Energy, and Petoro. With local elections approaching, the project has become a key issue for voters in the region, and the opposition is seeking to take advantage of the minority government’s poor ratings.

The Melkoeya LNG plant is one of Norway’s largest single emitters of carbon dioxide and has faced criticism from local residents and indigenous Sami reindeer herders, who are concerned about the environmental impact of the facility and the proposed electrification project. Proponents of the project argue that it is necessary to reduce emissions from the oil and gas industry and meet Norway’s climate goals, but opponents say that it would lead to higher energy prices and threaten the traditional livelihoods of reindeer herders. 

Sources: 

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/norway-parliament-asks-ccs-alternative-decarbonise-major-lng-plant-2023-04-18/

https://www.marinelink.com/news/norway-parliament-asks-ccs-alternative-504453