Norway is already a role model when it comes to sourcing electricity from low-carbon energy sources, achieving an impressive 99% figure. The majority of this power, around 90%, comes from hydropower, with the remainder being generated by wind farms. While the country already enjoys a low-carbon electricity sector, it also helps its neighbors lower their emissions by exporting a significant amount of surplus electricity.
With the aim of electrifying other sectors such as transport, heating and industry, Norway faces the challenge of further increasing its low-carbon electricity generation. While hydropower and wind already play a pivotal role in electricity generation, further investment and innovation in these sectors could potentially yield even greater results. Factors such as advancements in turbine technology, more efficient reservoir management and pioneering floating wind farms could provide the boost needed to facilitate the energy transition in other sectors.
The history of low-carbon electricity in Norway is largely based on the development of hydropower. In the early 1980s, hydroelectricity generation increased significantly, with annual growth rates from 9 TWh in 1981 to 13 TWh in 1983. Despite occasional declines, such as in 1991 and 1996, hydroelectricity production continued to trend upward overall. The largest increase was recorded in 2005 with an additional 27.2 TWh. However, the most recent decades have seen both significant increases and decreases. As of 2023, despite some fluctuations, hydropower continues to be the primary source of low-carbon electricity in Norway.