Norway already gets almost 99% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—a remarkable achievement. Over the latest 12 months, from September 2025 to August 2026, hydropower supplied about 88% of its electricity and wind nearly 10%, while fossil fuels accounted for only about 1.4%. Norway is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. Its next challenge is to extend electrification across transport, heating and industry, which will require much more clean electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Norway?

The latest figures do not show growth beyond Norway’s historical per-person records, although this comparison alone cannot establish the recent year-to-year trend. Electricity consumption in 2026 was about 27,400 kWh per person, compared with the record of about 31,800 kWh in 2000—a decline of roughly 4,400 kWh, or 14%. Low-carbon electricity generation was about 27,000 kWh per person, around 4,700 kWh, or 15%, below its 2000 record of about 31,700 kWh. These gaps are concerning when electrification and growing demand from AI will require more electricity, not less.

Suggestions

Norway can increase low-carbon electricity generation by upgrading existing hydropower facilities, expanding solar electricity on rooftops and suitable sites, and considering nuclear power as an additional source of clean generation. Combining its strong hydropower foundation with more solar and nuclear electricity would support a larger, more diversified low-carbon supply. Investment in transmission networks, storage and flexible electricity use would also help deliver that additional generation to households and industries while sustaining Norway’s contribution to cleaner electricity in neighboring countries.

History

Norway’s low-carbon electricity history is marked by substantial swings in hydropower generation. The 1980s brought increases of roughly 9–13 TWh in 1981, 1983 and 1989. The 1990s were mixed: generation fell by about 11 TWh in 1991, rose by nearly 10 TWh in 1995, and dropped by 18 TWh in 1996. The 2000s saw especially large fluctuations, including a 20 TWh increase in 2000, declines of 21 TWh in 2001 and 24 TWh in 2003, and a strong 27 TWh rebound in 2005. Further declines in 2006, 2009 and 2010 surrounded a 15 TWh increase in 2007. Generation then rose by 21 TWh in 2012 before falling by about 14 TWh in both 2013 and 2019. A 16 TWh recovery in 2020 was followed by declines of 15 TWh in 2022 and 10 TWh in 2026, reinforcing the importance of expanding clean electricity generation alongside Norway’s hydropower base.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

* 12M = Last 12 months (Sep 2025 – Aug 2026) — a rolling 12-month period, not a calendar year.