Team Europe Study Trip to Western Norway
As Team Europe, 15 ambassadors from EU Member States to Norway travelled to the Bergen region on 13 and 14 October to learn more about Norway’s energy sector and its contribution to energy security, renewable energy and the clean transition in Europe. The trip was organised by the EU Delegation in cooperation with the Norwegian Ministry of Energy.
The visit began at the Kollsnes gas processing plant, operated by Equinor and Gassco. The plant processes gas from fields including Troll, Kvitebjørn, Fram and Visund. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Norway has become Europe’s largest gas supplier, gas from Kollsnes is exported through pipelines to several European countries.
The delegation then visited Northern Lights, the world’s first cross-border CO₂ transport and storage service. There, the ambassadors met representatives from Gassnova and Northern Lights, who presented Norway’s effort on carbon capture and storage.
Day two was dedicated to renewable energy. In Samnanger, the delegation visited Frøland hydropower plant, which has supplied electricity to Bergen since 1912. The visit continued to the Kvitingen reservoir, where the ambassadors saw how Norwegian hydropower production can adjust to electricity demand. Later, at Eviny, representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Statnett gave the ambassadors an introduction to how the Norwegian and European power grids operate and connect.
From hydropower and CO₂ storage to integrated electricity markets, the visit highlighted the breadth of energy cooperation between the EU and Norway. A big thank you to the Norwegian Ministry of Energy for organising the visit with us.
Follow the EU Delegation to Norway on LinkedIn and Instagram.