Norway’s parliament on Thursday voted down a proposal to halt Equinor’s plan to supply electricity to its Hammerfest liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant from the regional power grid, allowing the project to proceed.
The opposition-backed motion, aimed at revoking the plant’s planned grid connection, failed after the Socialist Party withdrew its support, calling the proposal “in practice unlawful.” The vote ended with 48 MPs in favor and 54 against.
Equinor CEO Anders Opedal welcomed the outcome, stressing that predictability and trust in government decisions are essential for long-term industrial investments. The power connection, approved in 2023, is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the Melkøya LNG plant and extend its operational life.
Critics had argued that connecting the gas-driven plant to the grid could limit electricity availability for other users, increase local power costs, and negatively affect Sami reindeer herders. The Red Party and several other political parties had backed the motion.
The Hammerfest LNG plant, jointly owned by Equinor, Petoro, TotalEnergies, Vaar Energi, and Harbour Energy, currently accounts for roughly 5% of Norway’s gas exports.