Terje Aasland

Terje Aasland
Born	(1965-02-15) February 15, 1965 Skien, Norway
Occupation(s)	Politician, electrician
Years active	1991–present
Known for	Minister of Energy (since 2022), member of the Norwegian Parliament for Telemark since 2005

Terje Aasland (born 15 February 1965 in Skien) is a Norwegian Labour Party politician. Since 2022, he has held the position of Minister of Energy and has been a parliamentary representative for Telemark since 2005.

Education

Professionally trained as an electrician, Aasland also possesses experience within trade union organizations.

Local politics

Between 1991 and 2003, Aasland occupied multiple roles within the Skien council. He led the local Labour Party chapter from 1995 to 2000, served as deputy leader of the county chapter between 1998 and 2000, and was a member of the party’s national board during this timeframe.

Parliament

Aasland was first elected to the Norwegian Parliament representing Telemark in 2005 and has been re-elected continuously since then. His parliamentary leadership includes chairing the Standing Committee on Business and Industry from 2009 to 2013, serving as first vice chair of the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment between 2013 and 2017, acting as second vice chair for Business and Industry from 2017 to 2021, and leading the Energy and Environment committee in 2021–2022.

Following Labour’s victory in the 2021 elections, he assumed the role of deputy parliamentary leader. In February 2022, Aasland promoted offshore wind development as a means to electrify Norway’s continental shelf, emphasizing its potential for swift progress and economic advantage.

Minister of Petroleum and Energy

After Hadia Tajik resigned amid controversy involving government apartment usage, Marte Mjøs Persen took over on 7 March 2022. Subsequently, Aasland was appointed as Persen’s successor.

On 16 October 2023, it was announced that starting from 1 January 2024, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy would be renamed the Ministry of Energy, with Aasland’s official title adjusted accordingly.

In August 2025, Aasland became Norway’s longest-tenured energy minister.

2022

At an Energy Valley seminar held in Fornebu on 23 March, Aasland revealed that the government would implement "qualitative criteria" when assessing floating offshore wind projects, considering factors beyond purely financial bids.

On 5 April, exploration licenses were awarded to Equinor for areas in the North Sea, while Horisont Energi AS and Vår Energi AS received permits for the Barents Sea. Aasland highlighted Norway’s proficiency in CO₂ storage from fields such as Sleipner and Snøhvit, underscoring the government’s dedication to sustaining leadership on the continental shelf.

During a debate in April, when questioned about his predecessor Marte Mjøs Persen’s opposition to restricting electricity exports, Aasland refrained from commenting due to ongoing governmental evaluations concerning power supply.

On 10 June, he announced two new exploration permits focused on CO₂ storage projects, describing them as essential for fostering a new commercial sector and profitable industrial activities dependent on carbon capture technology.

By 6 July, Aasland acknowledged that rationing or limiting electricity imports might be necessary amid worsening shortages. He indicated such actions would mainly affect businesses but could also impact consumers.

Following demands from opposition and coalition parties, on 7 August the government introduced measures aimed at mitigating electricity expenses. These included export restrictions activated when reservoir levels are low. Aasland reassured households that despite anticipated price increases, winter electricity supply would remain secure.

Responding to a Progress Party query on 2 September regarding updated cost estimates for electrifying petroleum installations, Aasland stated no revisions had been made since 2020. The opposition criticized this stance as negligent given rising electricity costs.

In October, after Ursula von der Leyen suggested negotiating gas price corridors with Norway, Aasland dismissed this proposal. He emphasized that gas transactions are conducted by companies operating under market conditions but confirmed ongoing discussions with the European Union aimed at stabilizing energy markets.

When the EU proposed implementing a gas price corridor in November, Aasland cautioned against price caps and advocated for market-based approaches while recognizing that the proposal sought to alleviate market pressures.

By mid-December, Aasland conceded that no immediate solution existed for high electricity prices but expressed optimism that an Energy Commission established by the government would develop both short- and long-term remedies.

2023

In January 2023, Aasland publicly criticised fellow cabinet member Ola Borten Moe for opposing the government's investments in hydrogen, asserting that Borten Moe had misunderstood the government's objectives and made an inaccurate assessment.

In February, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, together with Aasland and Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, announced that the electricity support program would be extended throughout 2024. Aasland emphasized that the 50% increase implemented in late 2022 would remain intact, with the new phase commencing on 1 September 2023.

Following a crisis meeting on 2 March with Agriculture Minister Sandra Borch and Sami Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka concerning the Fosen wind farms, Aasland issued a government apology for infringing upon the human rights of the Sami people, acknowledging the Norwegian Supreme Court's 2021 decision. Despite this, protests persisted.

In June, Aasland introduced a government proposal to the Storting aiming to restrict or suspend electricity exports during extreme situations to protect essential societal functions.

August saw Aasland, along with Finance Minister Vedum and Prime Minister Støre, unveil plans to electrify the Melkøya power plant, securing its operation until at least 2040.

In December, his ministry granted approval for development plans and permits to electrify the Draugen and Njord platforms through shore-based power supply. Aasland praised this as a significant advancement for the industry toward reducing emissions.

2024

The government announced in January that it had approved 62 new exploration licenses in the Barents Sea, to be distributed among 24 oil companies.

During a court case involving activists protesting against the Fosen windmills, Aasland testified that his earlier government apology was not connected to their demonstrations; legal actions regarding the wind farms' legitimacy only commenced following the Supreme Court ruling in 2021. The activists were acquitted in April.

In April, Aasland and Digitalisation Minister Karianne Tung disclosed plans for legislation intended to limit cryptocurrency mining and mandate nationwide registration and transparency from data centres regarding their operations.

By June, Aasland conceded that current energy production trends cast doubt on Norway’s ability to achieve its climate targets for 2030.

In late September, faced with uncertainty about replacing aging subsea power cables, Aasland confirmed that no governmental decision had yet been reached despite Statnett recommending reinvestment in the two oldest Skagerrak lines.

2025

In January, Aasland and the Labour Party declared their intention to implement three directives from the EU’s fourth energy package, despite strong resistance from coalition partner the Centre Party. The Centre Party expressed concerns about potential infringements on Norwegian sovereignty and loss of national control over energy resources, threatening to exit the government if parts of the package were adopted. Aasland dismissed any prospect of government resignation, with both parties seeking a compromise. While Labour remained steadfast in applying the directives, the Centre Party maintained its opposition. The conflict concluded on 30 January when the Centre Party withdrew, resulting in the Støre Cabinet continuing as a single-party minority government. Two months later, Aasland reaffirmed commitments to implement both the original 2018 and updated 2023 versions of the Renewables directive.

In August, Aasland participated in launching Shell’s new compressor system in Aukra Municipality, designed to enhance gas extraction from the Ormen Lange gas field from 75% up to 85%, thereby unlocking reserves previously inaccessible. This innovation is anticipated to substantially increase state revenues.

Personal life

Aasland is wed and has three children.