Norway adds "green" component to stimulus package

OSLO Jan 26 (Reuters) - Norway's government said it would boost spending on environmental projects in the energy sector by 80 percent this year, as part of a 20 billion crown ($2.87 billion) fiscal stimulus package announced on Monday.

Subsidies to Enova, the Norwegian government's "green energy" investment fund, will amount to 2.6 billion crowns, some 1.2 billion more than envisaged previously.

The Energy and Petroleum Ministry, which oversees Enova, said the additional money should be spent on projects seeking to improve energy efficiency in industry and construction, environmentally friendly heating and wind power.

Energy and Petroleum Minister Terje Riis-Johansen said in a statement the new spending would help shore up the economy by "securing jobs in a downturn" and help fight climate change.

Norwegian politicians often refer to their country's special responsibility to spend on the environment since Norway is one of the world's largest oil and gas exporters. The country has, among others, pioneered technology to siphon off and bury carbon dioxide under a North Sea gas field.

Enova aims to curb energy consumption through efficiency, to promote water-based central heating, install new wind power capacity and increase eco-friendly use of natural gas.

For the main story on Norway's stimulus package, click on [ID:nLQ203152] ($1=6.979 Norwegian Crown) (Reporting by Wojciech Moskwa; Editing by Ron Askew)