The Norwegian government鈥檚 plan to fight the energy crisis in the country failed to gain support after an emergency parliamentary meeting on Monday.
Ninety-two relief proposals were put forward by the government to ease high electricity costs for businesses and households.
Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland told the parliament that the meeting鈥檚 aim was to, at the very least, offer 鈥渁 short-term relief for businesses鈥� and to help households with bills that have quadrupled in the last few months.
鈥淚t is crucial that pure power will continue to be a competitive advantage for Norway,鈥� he said, adding that it should have been done 鈥渕any years ago.鈥�
He blamed the energy crisis on Russia鈥檚 war on Ukraine.
鈥淩ussia鈥檚 war has at least two dimensions,鈥� he said, it is 鈥渁 brutal attack on the Ukrainian people and an attack on Europe, where gas is used as a weapon.鈥�
The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), Norway鈥檚 largest employers鈥� association, businesses leaders and workers were not happy with the proposals although Trade Minister Jan Christian Vestre announced a 3 billion Norwegian kroner ($293, 000) promised relief on Friday.
NHO leader Ole Erik Almlid told local daily Dagsavisen: 鈥淭here鈥檚 no reason to stand here and smile.
鈥淭he situation is very, very serious for very many companies.鈥�
Several small business owners gathered outside the parliament to demonstrate against rising electricity bills and warned that they might have to close down their businesses if no appropriate solution was found.
The government officials will be meeting again to discuss the energy crisis on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, with the date yet to be finalized.
By Leila Nezirevic in London
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr