Norway already gets almost 99% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—an outstanding achievement. Over the last 12 months, from October 2025 through September 2026, hydropower supplied about 88% of electricity and wind almost 10%, while fossil sources accounted for only about 1.4%. Norway is also a significant net exporter of electricity, helping neighboring regions lower their emissions. The next challenge is to extend this clean-electricity advantage to transport, heating and industry, where electrification will require much more electricity.

Is Electricity Growing in Norway?

Norway’s latest figures do not show growth beyond its historical per-person peaks, although a comparison with records alone cannot establish the recent year-to-year trend. Electricity consumption in 2026 was about 27,200 kWh per person, roughly 4,600 kWh, or 14%, below the record set in 2000. Low-carbon electricity generation stood at about 26,900 kWh per person, around 4,900 kWh, or 15%, below its own 2000 record. These shortfalls are concerning as electrification and growing demand from AI call for more clean electricity, not simply maintaining an already impressive low-carbon share.

Suggestions

Norway can increase low-carbon electricity generation by upgrading existing hydropower plants, expanding solar installations on rooftops and other suitable sites, and developing additional wind generation. It should also consider nuclear power as a complementary source of clean electricity, evaluating projects that could support sustained growth in supply. Stronger grids, storage and flexible electricity use would help integrate additional generation and deliver it where needed. Together, these steps could support domestic electrification while preserving Norway’s valuable contribution to cleaner electricity supplies in neighboring regions.

History

Norway’s low-carbon electricity history is dominated by substantial swings in hydropower generation. The 1980s brought notable increases of roughly 9–13 TWh in 1981, 1983 and 1989. The 1990s were mixed: a gain of about 10 TWh in 1995 sat between declines of around 11 TWh in 1991 and 18 TWh in 1996. During the 2000s, large increases in 2000, 2005 and 2007—including a 27 TWh jump in 2005—alternated with substantial falls, especially in 2001 and 2003. The following years remained uneven: declines in 2010, 2013 and 2019 contrasted with a 21 TWh increase in 2012. More recently, a gain of about 16 TWh in 2020 was followed by declines of around 15 TWh in 2022 and 11 TWh in 2026. These setbacks underline the importance of expanding and diversifying Norway’s clean electricity generation.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

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