Norway is a remarkable leader in sustainable electricity generation, with a remarkable 98.39% of its electricity coming from low-carbon sources in 2024. Hydropower dominates this landscape, contributing a robust 88.71% of the mix, while wind power adds nearly 10%. The reliance on fossil fuels for electricity is almost negligible, with gas accounting for a mere 1.61%. This impressive composition enables Norway not only to fulfill its domestic electricity needs with clean energy but also to be a significant net exporter of electricity. By exporting this clean electricity, Norway aids its neighboring countries in reducing their carbon footprints. However, to further decarbonize its economy, Norway faces the challenge of electrifying other sectors such as transport, heating, and industry.
Is Electricity Growing in Norway?
When examining the trend of electricity consumption in Norway, it's evident that the country is witnessing a decline rather than growth. In 2024, the total electricity consumption per person stands at 28,287 kWh, which is significantly lower than the previous peak of approximately 31,838 kWh per person recorded in 2000. This decline of 3,552 kWh per person from the historic high signals a reduction in overall electricity use, which is also mirrored in the low-carbon generation figures. The latest low-carbon electricity generation amounts to 27,832 kWh per person—again, a noteworthy decrease of 3,909 kWh per person compared to the year 2000. These numbers reflect a stagnation in growth within Norway's electricity sector, particularly disheartening considering the urgent need for more electricity to drive deeper electrification.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Norway should explore amplifying its investments in solar and nuclear energy. While hydropower and wind have served as the backbone for the nation's clean energy, solar and nuclear present untapped potential that can fill future electricity demands. Solar technology, with its decreasing costs and increasing efficiency, offers a versatile solution that can be deployed even in regions with varying levels of sunlight. Meanwhile, nuclear energy remains a resilient and reliable offset to both volatile gas markets and the intermittency of wind power, providing steady, large-scale clean power. Embracing these technologies will ensure Norway not only sustains but expands its green energy supremacy.
History
Historically, Norway's low-carbon electricity generation has been primarily driven by hydropower, with significant fluctuations observed over the decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, Norway saw remarkable increases in hydroelectric generation, such as in 1983 with a 13 TWh rise and in 2000 with a substantial 20.4 TWh surge. Throughout the early 2000s, the trend continued with both significant increases, such as in 2005 with a 27.2 TWh jump, and steep declines like the -21.3 TWh drop in 2001. The late 2010s and early 2020s brought further variability, with a notable 16 TWh increase in 2020, followed by a decline of 15.7 TWh by 2022. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of Norway's hydropower capabilities, driven by climatic conditions and seasonal variability, underscoring the importance of diversifying into other sustainable energy sources like solar and nuclear to stabilize the output.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.