London: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Norway to launch a Green Energy Deal with his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre, as part of a new Green Industrial Partnership.
The visit includes a tour of a carbon capture and storage site, with both leaders planning to sign the deal in spring 2025.
The partnership aims to enhance energy security, boost economic growth, and position the UK as a leader in carbon capture technology.
Sir Keir highlighted its importance in reducing reliance on volatile energy markets and mitigating the influence of global events, such as the invasion of Ukraine.
Our Plan for Change will make the UK a clean energy superpower:
Boosting energy security, protecting billpayers against price spikes and the whims of dictators like Putin.
Creating jobs both now and in the future.
Delivering for working people.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 16, 2024
The announcement follows Labour’s recent signing of the UK’s first carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) contracts. Critics argue that carbon capture allows continued emissions, while advocates view it as a crucial tool in combating climate change.
Norwegian firm Vargronn and UK-based Flotation Energy also announced progress on Europe’s first floating wind project, set to power one million homes by 2028.
After Norway, Sir Keir will attend a Defence Summit in Estonia, joined by leaders from rom the Netherlands, Latvia, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Lithuania to discuss regional security.
Meanwhile, in London, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey will meet Australian counterparts to address shared security challenges, including the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific.
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