Norway boasts an impressive achievement in its electricity generation, with more than 98% coming from low-carbon sources. The majority of this clean electricity is generated from hydropower, which constitutes almost 89% of the total electricity production, while wind energy contributes a notable 9%. Fossil energy accounts for close to none at just over 1%, primarily from gas. In addition to its domestic low-carbon success, Norway is a significant net exporter of electricity, aiding neighboring regions in reducing their carbon emissions. However, as Norway looks to electrify its transport, heating, and industrial sectors, more electricity will be crucial to support this transition, highlighting the importance of expanding clean electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Norway?
Despite the need for growth, electricity consumption in Norway has seen a decline since its peak in the year 2000. The latest data shows electricity consumption at 28,138 kWh per person, a decrease of 3,700 kWh per person from the historic high. Low-carbon electricity generation also mirrors this trend, showing a reduction of over 4,000 kWh per person compared to the year 2000. This decrease is concerning, as expanding electricity consumption, particularly clean electricity, is vital to meet future demand and facilitate the electrification of other sectors, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Suggestions
To address this, Norway must focus on expanding its low-carbon electricity generation capacity. Investing in advanced nuclear energy technologies could provide a stable and reliable source of clean electricity. Moreover, solar energy represents an underutilized opportunity ripe for development. By combining nuclear and solar energy with the existing hydropower and wind resources, Norway can ensure a diverse, resilient electricity grid capable of supporting increased consumption and driving further emission reductions.
History
Historically, Norway's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced several fluctuations. In the 1980s, hydropower saw significant ups and downs, marked by notable increases in 1981 and 1983 but a severe decline in 1991. The turn of the century brought one of the largest spikes in 2000 followed by another significant drop in 2001. More recently, the stability of hydropower generation has been challenged, with significant rises in 2012 and 2020 and substantial declines in intervening years. These fluctuations underline the importance of diversifying Norway's clean energy sources to maintain stable growth in low-carbon electricity production, especially considering the future demands of electrification and climate constraints.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.