Finland inquires about arranging Norwegian natural gas supplies

Finland President Tarja Halonen inquired about arranging natural gas supplies from Norway, the world's second largest oil exporter. "Gas is a very, very interesting matter for us," Halonen said at a news conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
All Finland's natural gas now comes from neighbouring Russia. Norway supplies billions of cm of natural gas through pipelines running south to continental Europe. The country's hopes to ship gas east have been thwarted by neighbouring Sweden's reluctance to allow pipelines across its territory.
Stoltenberg said that could be overcome if pipelines were built to Poland and elsewhere in eastern Europe, where Norwegian gas supplies also are in demand. Branches could be built to Finland and the Baltic states. "We are now negotiating with Poland about laying a pipeline from the Norwegian continental shelf to Poland," said Stoltenberg. "If we succeed with that, it would increase the possibilities of delivering Norwegian gas to Finland, something that would be seen as a contribution to improving the environment."

About 30 % of Finland's electricity now comes from coal, which pollutes more than natural gas. About the same amount comes from nuclear power. The rest is from hydroelectric plants and other sources. "We could also, possibly, buy electrical power back from Finland, and in any case strengthen Nordic cooperation," said Stoltenberg.
Halonen, elected as Finland's first female president in February, was in Norway on a two-day official visit. Her schedule included meetings with top politicians, ceremonial events and a lecture at the Norwegian Nobel Institute.