Electricity in Norway in 2023/2024

Norway's current state of electricity consumption is highly commendable, with an impressive 98.9% of its electricity coming from low-carbon sources between October 2023 and September 2024. This is predominantly due to the country's extensive use of hydropower, which accounts for about 89.16% of the total electricity mix. Wind energy also contributes significantly, making up 9.26% of the electricity. The reliance on fossil fuels is minimal, with gas contributing just 1.1% to the electricity supply. This places Norway at the forefront of clean energy adoption. However, the next challenge for the country lies in the electrification of other sectors such as transport, heating, and industry, which will require much more electricity to maintain this low-carbon footprint.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Norway could consider expanding its wind energy capacity. Given the country's vast coastal areas with high wind speeds, offshore wind farms present a viable option. Additionally, investing in solar power, particularly in regions with good sunlight exposure during the summer months, can complement the already abundant hydropower. Furthermore, integrating more nuclear energy could provide a stable and reliable source of low-carbon electricity, ensuring that the grid remains resilient and capable of meeting future demand. Strengthening grid infrastructure to accommodate these varied low-carbon sources would also be essential.

History

Historically, Norway's journey in low-carbon electricity has been marked by significant fluctuations in hydropower generation. In the early 1980s, years such as 1981 and 1983 saw hydroelectricity increases of 9 TWh and 13 TWh, respectively. The late 1980s and early 1990s were characterized by both increases, such as in 1989 with 9.5 TWh, and declines, like the -10.8 TWh in 1991. The turn of the millennium brought both peaks and troughs, highlighted by a dramatic increase of 20.4 TWh in 2000 followed by a significant decrease of 21.3 TWh in 2001. The mid-2000s saw the highest growth with a 27.2 TWh increase in 2005. Recent decades have continued this pattern with notable increases in 2012 and 2020, experiencing 21.3 TWh and 16 TWh respectively, but also declines such as the -14.1 TWh in 2013 and -15.7 TWh in 2022. This dynamic history underscores the need for diversified low-carbon sources to ensure stable electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources