§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to facilitate imports from Norway of renewable electricity generated by hydro-power. [99199]
EU-15 Trade in goods with Iraq: 1997 to January-June 2002 Value US$000 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 January to June 2002 Total EU-15 Exports 220,199 542,165 651,532 1,038,550 1,729,640 849,855 France 24,546 85,300 77,837 129,042 591,869 212,556 Italy 5,027 37,580 72,453 242,276 327,336 148,373 Germany 126,571 244,468 300,460 361,895 301,408 203,872 Spain 5,374 14,055 29,085 57,282 92,983 37,832 Belgium — — 37,339 52,279 88,366 46,750 UK 10,492 42,099 56,899 77,174 87,825 27,846 Austria 1,490 9,671 12,341 28,740 76,845 58,677 Sweden 1,517 9,253 4,222 20,309 69,676 43,993 Denmark 7,131 15,195 8,402 20,165 39,298 17,947 Netherlands 12,559 24,977 42,752 32,522 37,693 24,026 Finland 269 1,377 6,884 7,744 8,981 3,359 Greece 188 2,040 870 4,093 5,868 16,314 Portugal 113 61 1,043 50 926 — Ireland 46 204 949 4,915 303 1,070 Luxembourg — — — 62 261 7,243
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 January to June 2002 Total EU-15 Imports 1,571,605 2,091,528 3,922,926 5,808,776 3,183,755 678,503 France 6,260 78,332 88,430 42,531 888,243 224,752 Netherlands 173,635 — 1,114,705 686,149 796,171 241,363 Italy 202,673 401,046 804,817 1,682,160 605,934 60,636 Spain 439,391 507,381 623,586 1,198,505 438,252 78,702 Greece 18,208 76,153 78,550 308,297 230,156 16,431 Austria 132,451 134,965 210,671 284,021 170,532 51,619 Portugal 71,516 118,698 196,336 161,685 52,788 — UK 48 35,969 671 94 1,252 55 Germany 527,418 738,830 805,158 1,325,241 377 4,948 Denmark — 2 — 3 26 — Sweden — — — 119,931 21 1 Luxembourg — — — — 1 — Belgium — — — 159 — — Finland — — 3 — — — Ireland 7 — — — 1 — Source:
Eurostat Extra and Intra EU Trade
DTI/SU-SA
868W
§ Mr. WilsonI understand that National Grid Transco are considering, with Statnett, the Norwegian grid operator, the construction of an interconnector between the UK and Norway that will enable the import of electricity from Norway—and exports to Norway. While this is a commercial project, and not directly a matter for my Department, I nonetheless welcome it as increased interconnection provides greater flexibility and security.
I am aware that a high proportion of Norwegian electricity is generated by hydro-power, although from time to time, and especially in periods of low rainfall. Norway is a net importer of electricity, which may be from fossil sources.