Natural Gas Main Pillar of Energiewende, Says Statoil

Natural gas is the main option for Germany to cut emissions, given that 45% of the country’s power is generated by burning coal, with gas representing just 10%. 

“This clearly demonstrates that in order for Germany to reach its 40% reduction target in 2020, gas needs to increase its share in the energy mix, and the use of coal needs to be strongly reduced,” Statoil CEO Helge Lund said at a joint Statoil/Wintershall event in Berlin on 24 June.

In this sense, the Norwegian company voiced the need to switch from coal to gas, which was said to foster a 50% cut in emissions per kilowatt-hour of electricity.

“I think it is both timely and necessary for German to develop a plan for how natural gas can contribute to fulfilling the ambitions of the Energiewende (energy transition). Increasing the use of natural gas will be beneficial both for the German economy and for the climate,” Lund argued.

Statoil also asked Germany to take the lead in ensuring that the EU emission trading scheme becomes the main tool for decarbonisation in the Continent.  

Statoil is the second-largest supplier to Germany, delivering gas via three pipelines (Europipe I, Europipe II and Norpipe) and has a market share of around 20%. It is planning to increase its clout in Germany, working to launch an office in Berlin in autumn.

‘This autumn Statoil will establish an office in Berlin to engage even more actively in the German energy policy discussions,’ reads a note released on Wednesday.