Strengthened energy ties to Belgium

- Belgium has been and will remain an important energy partner for Norway and our business community. Norway is a predictable supplier of oil and gas to Europe. In addition, we work closely together in areas such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and offshore wind. With the joint declaration on offshore wind and the agreement of intent on pipeline transport of CO2 between Belgium and Norway, we are making energy cooperation even closer, says Norway’s Minister of Energy, Terje Aasland.

The delegation included representatives from the North Sea Port, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Belgian Hydrogen Council, Engie, Fluxys and Heidelberg Materials, as well as state authorities and Energy Minister Tinne van der Straeten.

Joint declaration on offshore wind

In connection with the visit, a joint declaration on offshore wind was signed. Norway and Belgium will continue to strengthen the existing cooperation on offshore wind and related infrastructure, including opportunities for future hybrid cooperation projects.

The parties must also decide on a plan for further cooperation based on the results of the study carried out by the transmission system operators (TSOs). The study is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.

Statnett is now working to assess technical, economic, market and regulatory aspects of possible hybrid grid solutions for offshore wind and has entered into agreements of intent with transmission system operators in several countries, including Belgium, to collaborate on this. The results of the work shall form part of the decision-making basis for a possible hybrid network solution for the South West F area in the 2025 call for tenders.

Agreement of intent on pipeline transport of CO2 between Belgium and Norway

An agreement of intent was also signed on pipe transport of CO2. The agreement sets the framework for negotiations on a bilateral agreement that will clarify the regulatory regime for the construction, laying and operation of a pipeline for the transport of CO2 from Belgium to the Norwegian continental shelf, where CO2 will be permanently stored underground. In the bilateral agreement, the parties will regulate jurisdiction, inspection, and use of the pipeline.

The recently signed memorandum of understanding on transboundary transport of CO2 is a key element in promoting CO2 storage as a solution to combat climate change. The letter of intent signed today takes this development a big step further, enabling the transport and storage of large volumes of CO2.

Equinor and Belgian Fluxys are working on plans for a possible new CO2 pipeline from Europe to CO2 storage on the Norwegian continental shelf. Equinor calls the project the "CO2 Highway Europe". Such a pipeline is planned to be operational by 2030 and will be able to contribute to the decarbonisation of European energy-intensive industry. The companies involved plan to start such a pipeline in Zeebrugge in Belgium, with possible branch pipes to Dunkirk in France and Eemshaven in the Netherlands.

Transport and storage of CO2 will be important for reaching Norwegian and international climate targets. In April, Norway signed an agreement of intent on cross-border transport and storage of CO2 with Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden.