2 min Published: 11.09.22 — 11.00 Updated: 20 days ago- This war profit is not only found in Norway, but all over Europe.Countries that think energy producers are making too much profit should look in their own home country in the first round, says Professor Atle Midttun at BI.He believes that the EU countries should raise taxes on the electricity companies, which are now profiting enormously from the war in Ukraine, to make up for high energy costs in their own country.- Most European electricity companies with their own renewable or nuclear power generation are war profiteers de luxe, concludes Midttun.On Saturday, DN wrote about how Norwegian diplomats in the EU and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are worried about Norway's reputation.The embassy in Berlin said in July that "many already see us as war profiteers," while in Rome it was warned that "the question of 'Norwegian solidarity' will quickly arise".- This is a matter of communication.Norway should make it clear that we support a general price ceiling that is implemented throughout the market.It will be a much better solution than creating an extraordinary price dump for gas in Norway when everyone else is doing the opposite, says Midttun while emphasizing that clear and generous financial support for Ukraine is also important.On Friday, Europe's energy ministers gathered in Brussels for talks on measures to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis.According to news reports, 15 out of 27 EU countries are now in favor of a general cap, which also involves a price cap on Norwegian gas.In practice, this means that the EU introduces a ban on buying gas at prices above a certain threshold.There was no agreement on this point on Friday, but the European Commission aims to present a proposal next week.- It is very difficult for Norway not to lose its reputation, says Professor Ola Honningdal Grytten at NHH to DN.The day after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Grytten wrote a column called "Norway can become a war profiteer".When asked what he thinks about Norway now losing its reputation as a result of the super profit on the sale of gas, Grytten replies:- The only thing we can take back our reputation on is by showing goodwill in energy production and goodwill in aid towards Ukraine, as well as goodwill in international negotiations on energy prices.Grytten is clear that with such high gas and oil prices it is difficult for Norway not to make money.He believes that the best contribution Norway has made so far is the enormous gas production.- Some believe that we have increased gas production so much that we are destroying the possibility of extracting some oil later because we are losing pressure.So we already sacrifice a lot, but at the same time we earn so much that it is a question of whether it can be called a sacrifice, he says and quickly adds;- Perhaps we should also think that we cut the electrification of the Norwegian continental shelf, it does not benefit either Norway's or the world's energy supplies.Friday's news sources show that a majority of EU countries are in favor of a general price cap on gas.On Saturday, a recent survey by the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter showed that Swedish parties also want the EU to change the common system for pricing.High gas prices should not be allowed to control electricity prices, the parties believe.Next week, the European Commission will come up with a decision regarding the proposal for a price cap on gas.- When the EU now makes its decisions, we must be part of that cooperation.It is clear that with the enormous income we have, we will have to contribute more internationally.It is also in our interest, says energy policy spokesperson Ola Elvestuen in Venstre.When asked what he thinks about Norway losing its reputation, Elvestuen replies:- Støre should act more humbly and with greater understanding of the problems in Europe.Høyre's energy policy spokesperson, Nikolai Astrup, believes that Norway should contribute constructively to find good solutions to the extreme gas prices that are ravaging Europe.A price cap on gas is probably not the answer, Astrup believes.- Norway is a major supplier of gas to Europe, but is still not in a position to influence global gas prices.Setting a fixed price for Norwegian gas will not produce more gas either, and right now a lack of gas is the main challenge, says energy policy spokesperson Nikolai Astrup in the Conservative Party.- Once we earn this much extra money, then we have an opportunity to help our neighbors in Europe in the difficult situation they are in, says Lan Marie Berg in MDG to DN.On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a solidarity fund to which the oil and gas companies are asked to allocate part of their extraordinary income.Such a fund, Berg Norge believes, should help fill it up.- It is important for Norway to have a good reputation, but not least to ensure stability in Europe.It will be able to help households in Europe who are in a much deeper crisis than we are in Norway, but it will also help ourselves. 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