Platts: European gas "not a transition fuel": Norwegian energy minister

The role of natural gas in Europe's future energy landscape should not be limited to that of "transition fuel", but seen as a vital solution in meeting carbon emissions reduction targets, said Norwegian minister of petroleum and energy Ola Borten Moe.

Borten Moe was speaking at a seminar in London late Wednesday addressing the UK-Norway energy partnership ahead of the official opening of the 317 MW Sherringham Shoal wind farm off the coast of Norfolk, owned equally by Norway's Statoil and Statkraft.

Although Borten Moe acknowledged that Sherringham Shoal project represented an important step in achieving renewable energy goals of both the UK and Norway he added that gas had to remain central to Europe's low carbon ambitions.

"The global energy outlook shows increased gas use in all scenarios whilst meeting 2 degree [cap on global warming] targets," he told the seminar.

Europe must stop talking about gas a transitional source: it is here to stay," he added.  MORE