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10 August 2007 - Today the Norwegian government has passed a provisional decree, which states that licenses for the acquisition of hydropower plants will no longer be granted to private parties.
However, the ministry also said that it would be possible to sell one third of publicly owned hydropower stations to non-public owners. Currently, 88 per cent of Norway's hydropower capacity is in public ownership.
The decision by the government follows a ruling in June by the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) court, which said a Norwegian law requiring private operators of power plants to return assets to the Norwegian state after 60 years was not compatible with the European Economic Area agreement.
The ministry, however, said in a statement it considered the decree "compatible with the EEA agreement". With this decree, the government secures stability and predictability, and avoids speculation in the electric power sector. By accepting the provisional decree, the government gives parliament sufficient time to introduce a permanent law.
According to Energy minister, Odd Roger Enoksen, the ministries involved will now conduct a thorough assessment of the consequences of the decree, and a hearing will take place before a final law is passed.
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