During his visit to Norway, Olaf Scholz wants to secure an important commitment for Germany: the Scandinavian partner is to supply more gas in the near future. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr has to disappoint Störe Scholz question again.
The atmosphere at the port of the Norwegian capital Oslo seemed completely calm on Monday. Warm 27 degrees, small boats wobbled back and forth in the water and a few young people jumped into the water from a wooden island. At first glance, hardly anyone would have guessed that talks were held here that afternoon that are crucial for the future energy supply of various countries.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to Oslo on Monday to discuss the energy partnership and possible expansion of gas supplies. Ever since Russia continued to turn off the gas tap, the country has become the most important supplier for the Germans. Now Scholz wanted to know: Can Norway export even more in the coming months than before? A question that Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Störe actually answered a long time ago.
As early as January, Störe dampened German expectations that Norway could replace Russian gas supplies in the future: “We supply a third of Germany’s gas requirements, but we shoot at full capacity,” Störe said at the time. There are no reserves with which other things could be replaced.
And even if Norway has nevertheless managed to increase delivery volumes by 10 percent in the past few months, the end of the road should now have been reached. Especially since the LNG that came onto the market in May is included in the 10 percent.
After the joint talks this Monday, Scholz made it clear how important Norway is as an energy supplier for Germany and that more gas from Norway would be “very important” for Germany. But Störe has to disappoint the SPD chancellor again at the joint press conference: Norway is already delivering the maximum of what is possible. It is not up to the government to create more capacity here. First of all, new gas has to be produced, which can then be exported, explains the prime minister. So the question needs more time.
But Germany doesn’t have the time at all. Because, as Scholz himself said in the press conference, it is about this and the next winter, in which security of supply must be ensured.
After it became clear that the Qatar deal of Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck had flopped and the Qataris would not supply any gas, there were no alternatives.
Scholz says hopefully during the press conference on Monday evening: “You can rely on Norway!”. In all likelihood, however, the chancellor expected too much as far as additional delivery volumes are concerned.
