The Norwegian government has appointed Terje Søviknes, a member of the Progress Party, as the new Minister of Petroleum and Energy in Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s cabinet.
The government said on Tuesday that Søviknes would replace Tord Lien , who has been the country’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy from October 16, 2013.
The newly appointed Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Søviknes, said: “I am looking forward to continuing the Government’s work at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
“This area of policy is very important for Norway and has great significance for employment, value creation and revenues for the Norwegian society.”
Since 1999, Søviknes served as the Mayor of Os municipality. He is a member of the Hordaland County Executive Board and a member of the Progress Party Group Steering Committee. He is also the leader of the Hordaland County Progress Party group and Board Member of Hordaland Progressive Party.
Søviknes is an engineer and has studied economics at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH).
The departing minister, Tord Lien, said: “It has been a privilege to lead the work at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for a period of more than three years. Energy policy has been high on the public agenda throughout this period. I wish Terje Søviknes the best of luck continuing this work.”
The government added that State secretary Kjell-Børge Freiberg and State Secretary Ingvil Smines Tybring-Gjedde will remain in their positions at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, along with Political Adviser Elnar Holmen .