2027 budget brings no energy or E39 aid

The draft state budget presented this week provides no electricity support measures for the business sector, reports NRK Sørlandet / Agder. The impact is direct for companies in the south of the country, where the price of electricity remains far higher than in the rest of Norway. On Wednesday, a kilowatt-hour cost 2.30 crowns in the south, against 30 øre in the north of the country (NRK Sørlandet / Agder).

At Bortelid Skisenter, in the municipality of Åseral, manager Lasse Liestøl describes the situation. « It seems very unfair. But we have taken note of the reality and we have to work from there, » he tells NRK. He is not surprised by the absence of an aid scheme: « For our part, we never really believed that we would get help from the state and the government. » He describes the situation as « very disappointing » (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). The government itself has published figures on business costs in the southern part of the country.

The budget also provides no additional funding for the construction of the new E39. « It may be the biggest disappointment for Agder's politicians, » says Dag Ingvar Jacobsen, professor of political science at the University of Agder, who calls the draft « business as usual, » with no surprise for the county (NRK Sørlandet / Agder). The Agder fylkesting has asked the government for extra funds to bring down toll prices. The cost of using the new road has led many motorists back onto the old E39. The government has promised to come back with a plan aimed at securing the project's finances, run by the public company Nye Veier. The content of the 2027 budget and its effects on residents are also being analysed nationally (The Local Norway).