UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed Britain and Norway's “strong history, shared thinking and values” as the two countries unveiled a new green energy partnership in renewable energy and carbon capture on Monday.
Mr Starmer visited a carbon transport and storage centre in Norway to witness first-hand how such projects can regenerate industrial heartlands in the UK, leading to job creation and a boost to the economy. The UK and Norway have a long-standing relationship in the energy sector, with Norway being one of the largest supplies of natural gas to Britain. It is hoped the Green Industrial Partnership will be signed in the spring of 2025.
Speaking in Norway on Monday at a press conference, Mr Starmer said the recent carbon capture announcements in the UK will provide "good, well paid jobs for many years to come".
"Carbon capture has a potential for decades and decades of work, and we're probably two of the best placed countries in the world in relation to this cutting edge technology, this approach," he added.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the technology was considered science fiction a few years ago. "Carbon capture and storage has to be part of a solution to reach our climate ambitions, while dealing with industry, with development and securing jobs," he said.
"So I'm very pleased to be able to show my friend what has happened here and so moving ahead with CCS (carbon capture and storage) and that Norwegian expertise and industrial skills are part of that endeavour."
The countries have also committed to “identify gaps and challenges” to develop the North Sea as a hub for carbon storage and strike a bilateral agreement or arrangement for the cross-border transport of carbon dioxide.
Speaking ahead of the trip, Mr Starmer said the energy partnership with Norway, which has a border with Russia, would help to boost growth and protect against increases in international energy prices, such as that which followed President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.
“It will harness the UK's unique potential to become a world leader in carbon capture – from the North Sea to the coastal south – reigniting industrial heartlands and delivering on our plan for change,” he said.
In addition to the launch of the Green Industrial Partnership, the UK and Norway will also expand their work on developing the North Sea as a hub for carbon storage and the development of a bilateral arrangement for transporting carbon dioxide across each other's borders under the London Protocol, an environmental treaty that deals with the sea transport of carbon dioxide and other substances.
The UK is aiming to become a world leader in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and has set aside £21.7 billion of funding over the next 25 years. This will be allocated to carbon capture and storage projects, as well as the development of hydrogen as an alternative energy source.
“We work closely with the UK in a wide range of areas,” Mr Store said. “We have co-operated in the field of carbon capture and storage for more than 20 years, and further strengthening our co-operation with the UK will help us to cut emissions and create green jobs. It is important to show our partners what Norway can bring to the table in our joint efforts to achieve our common goals.”
The launch comes just days after the government signed the first CCUS contracts in the UK. The Northern Endurance Partnership and the Net Zero Teesside projects involve BP and the Norwegian energy company Equinor, and it's predicted the initiatives will create thousands of skilled jobs in the north of England and deliver clean energy to one million UK homes within the next three years.
In addition, collaboration between Norwegian company Vargronn and UK company Flotation Energy continues apace with the announcement of front-end engineering and design contracts at the pairs' joint venture floating offshore wind farm Green Volt. Located off the north-east of Scotland, Green Volt is the first major commercial floating wind development in Europe.
Last week, the Norwegian clean energy company Statkraft broke ground on the Swansea Greener Grid Park in Wales, a £70 million project that will use low carbon technology to improve grid stability and reduce the need to use fossil fuel power plants. Statkraft has already completed two similar projects in the UK and invested £1.4 billion in Britain's broader renewable energy infrastructure.
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
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1. Fasting
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3. Hajj
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
