Ensuring sustainable competitiveness of European energy services export

Increased uncertainty with regards to cost of electricity in the NordPool area (unclear influence from increased production from renewable sources and higher application of self-generation technologies such as installation of solar panels etc) leads to in creased uncertainty in optimal composition of value-adding industries and commercial sectors in the affected economies. Marko Viiding's PhD dissertation identifies the links between total cost of electricity and its impact on sectors of a national economy by studying electricity cost impact on future competitiveness levels of the companies based in NordPool countries.

In the context of globalisation, energy is one of the few most important topics for discussion as the overall consumption levels are on the increase and countries make efforts to establish economic supremacy or simply aim for independence and security. Th is mostly stands for better command of energy supply from the country's resources or by establishing reliable import mechanisms. Energy services is an important branch in these series of activity, ranging from identifying and counselling most predictable means of energy delivery to construction supervision to daily resource operation and maintenance. Yet surprisingly little is known about competitiveness in energy services both academically and empirically, as the development path of engaged companies s o far has mainly relied on creative use of existing experience in the business. Specifically in Norway's case, the country's long history in hydropower exploitation nearly stalled coordinated development efforts as the power output reached a desired size (for the domestic market) and no further potential for energy export was considered. Only recently has Norway started again looking into leveraging its competence pool in order to pioneer new frontiers in energy services. The research is limited to busin ess from EEA-based (European Economic Area) enterprises; looking at combination services in foreign-tradable products - meaning offering of services where at least one part needs to be delivered to end-customer abroad; and focusing on potential success of such enterprises within the energy sector. Demand and market conditions, the boundaries of combination service firms, and unique characteristics of doing business in the energy sector will be combined to define the results of research and aim at launchi ng guidance for sustainable operations of European combination services firms in the re-defining energy market.