Climate Minister Lars Aagaard (M) sat in the hot seat for three hours on Wednesday when he had to answer during a consultation why the Folketing had not been informed about a delay in the expansion of the electricity grid. Along the way, he had to open his packed lunch so that he could maintain his energy during the many questions from the opposition, several of which believed that the minister did not answer adequately. The question is therefore what the cooperation between the minister and the rapporteurs will be like afterwards. He hopes that he can restore trust, and he sees the consultation as a step on the way.
- We must learn from this. I take it very seriously and will do my part to ensure that there is good trust between me and the parties in the Folketing, says Lars Aagaard to journalists after the consultation.
The consultation was long awaited because it could have an impact on his ministerial position. Several opposition politicians are very dissatisfied with the fact that the minister, in their view, has withheld important knowledge about the delayed electricity grid ahead of political negotiations on the subject in 2024.
But some of the tension had subsided in advance when three North Atlantic mandates and independent Jon Stephensen refused to dismiss the minister on Tuesday in front of Ritzau on the basis of the case. This has caused a stir and criticism, as the North Atlantic mandates have a tradition of not interfering in Danish domestic politics, even though this has happened before in high-tension cases. The minister is therefore dependent on the help of a Greenlandic and two Faroese mandates to continue in office. But he does not address this directly.
- I am focused on ensuring that Denmark has a secure energy supply. Europe is in a really critical place. We have an EU presidency ahead of us.
- In connection with the EU presidency, I will be involved in the negotiations at the upcoming climate summits. We have so many important agendas ahead of us, and that is what my focus is, he says.
The Minister has regretted and apologized that the Folketing has not been informed about the delays in the expansion of the electricity grid.
- I am not the kind of person who cannot take criticism, I take it seriously, no one is more upset that what needs to happen in a negotiation process does not happen. I have regretted and apologized for that, I am learning from that, says Lars Aagaard.
Lars Aagaard was criticized during the consultation for not giving good answers to the rapporteurs' questions on the matter.
- I completely agree that people may think that it is not a good explanation, but I have given an honest explanation, he says.
He is also asked whether he believes that the rapporteurs had other motives for leading the ministerial storm.
- You should ask the parties about that, he says.
However, the case is not finally over, as the National Audit Office has begun investigating Energinet's expansion of the electricity grid. It is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2026.
In a report on the process, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities has concluded that the delays will not significantly affect the climate target. It is about Denmark having reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent by 2030 compared to the level in 1990.
jel /ritzau/
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