The Research Council of Norway has pledged 160 million NOK for the establishment of eight new research centers that will work on sustainable energy production. The project has an overall budget of 1.3 billion NOK, to be distributed over eight years.
“The new research centers will establish a framework for the development and use of new technology adapted to environmentally sound living,” said Tord Lien, Minister of Petroleum and Energy.
Lien opened an Energy Conference in Oslo on Thursday hosted by The Research Council of Norway. The Research Council announced the allotment of 160 million NOK toward the establishment of the research centers working on sustainable energy production. The Norwegian government is expected to contribute an additional 1.3 billion NOK to the centers over the next eight years. Including funding from users, industrial partners and research institutions, more than 2.5 billion NOK has been earmarked for research development.
“This is a good day to be Minister of Petroleum and Energy. The research centers for sustainable energy production are at the forefront of new research, development and innovation regarding energy production for the future. The allotment is a long-term commitment towards a solution of climate and energy challenges. The centers will also contribute to innovation, industrial and commercial development and lucrative jobs,” said Lien.
The research centers will bring together Norwegian researchers and members of industry and the trade sector to cooperate long-term to address energy and climate challenges.
The new centers will cover hydraulic power, power grids, energy efficient industry, environmentally friendly transport, solar power, biofuel and zero emission in cities.
“Research and development of new technology is one of the government’s main areas of commitment. I am therefore pleased that the government and its partners have strengthened their commitment to research and technological development in all budgets thus far. I am especially pleased that the state budget for 2016 strengthened sustainable energy production with 40 million NOK,” said Lien.
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Norway’s industry safety body has formally imposed an order on BP to act on its crane maintenance and materials handling on the Ula and Valhall facilities.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted a drilling permit to Engie E&P Norge for well 36/7-4 in offshore Norway.
A Norwegian prosecutor Tuesday requested jail terms of at least six years for two men charged with supporting the militant Islamic State group as their trial closed in the Norwegian capital of Oslo.
Norwegian companies are to invest in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Gilan Province in Iran.
India is all set to become member of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a key anti-proliferation grouping, as it cleared final hurdles in getting membership of the bloc that will help it access high-end missile technology.
At a meeting with Bulgarian Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva on Tuesday, the ambassadors of the EU member states, Norway, Switzerland noted the progress of Bulgaria’s judicial reform.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will travel to Norway next week to partake in the 2016 edition of the Oslo Forum, an annual international conference of armed conflict mediators and peace process actors.
Shell’s chief executive officer, Ben van Beurden, says the company is ‘reshaping itself’ with an emphasis on stronger returns and free cash flow in order to create “a world class investment case” that is likely to include greater focus on new energy and on renewables. Shell recently became the latest fossil fuel company to bid for a slice of the fast growing offshore wind market, following Norway’s state-owned oil company Statoil into the sector (although strictly speaking, if Shell is successful, it will be re-entering the offshore wind industry, having built the 108MW Egmond offshore wind project in 2006). A consortium of Shell, Eneco and Van Oord has confirmed it is bidding to participate in the Dutch government’s tender to build two windfarms off the Dutch coast.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund has grown its share in a multi-billion-dollar US office portfolio, acquiring a further 4% stake for $142m (€125m).
CHC say the decision is based on “customer demand” with the move coming in the wake of the crash in Norway in April that killed a Scottish oil worker
Head of Iran Veterinary Organization, Mehdi Khalaj, met with Norway’s ambassador to Tehran, Aud Lise Norheim, and discussed cooperation on fishery and fish diseases.
Maltese Foreign Minister George Abela met with Norway’s EU Affairs Minister Elisabeth Aspaker today.
The beginning of June saw a burst of activity on the market for anchor handling tug/supply vessels in the North Sea. 3 June saw a total of 13 fixtures – including Statoil taking no less than nine anchor handlers and a platform supply vessel (PSV). The market remained tight as of 6 June as a result with just one anchor handler available prompt in Aberdeen, along with five PSVs available, although in Norway availability was ‘sold out.’
Telenor today unveiled its first move to significantly improve healthcare in emerging markets, with the introduction of its digital health service Tonic in Bangladesh. By addressing local health challenges through technology, Telenor takes another step in the digital space.
WindEurope says it welcomes an agreement signed by 10 EU countries to co-operate on offshore energy in northern Europe. On 6 June in Luxembourg, Energy Ministers from 10 EU member states signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and work programme to enhance co-operation on renewable energy, particularly offshore wind. The ministers of Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, France, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium and the UK signed the agreement, which aims to reduce the costs and accelerate the deployment of wind power at sea.

On June 14th and 15th, 500 politicians, private sector companies, indigenous peoples representatives, researchers and civil society organizations from all over the world gather in Oslo to discuss how to stop the destruction of the world’s tropical forests.
Radja Nainggolan recovered from a minor calf complaint to start Belgium’s final Euro 2016 warm-up friendly against Norway on Sunday.
Norwegian Ambassador’s chauffeur arrested in attempt to smuggle 10 kg of artifacts across the border in official car.
On Monday 6 June, 300 leaders from the UN, business industry, civil society and politics will meet at Hotel Bristol to discuss how Norway and Norwegian business can take an active role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team won for the second time in two games at the four-team U-23 Women’s Nordic Tournament, defeating Norway 2-1 on goals from Tyler Lussi and Savannah Jordan.