| Data | |
|---|---|
| Installed capacity (2007) | 30.46 GW |
| Share of fossil energy | 1% |
| Share of renewable energy | 98% |
| GHG emissions from electricity generation (2007) | 0.8 Mt CO2 |
| Average electricity use (200) | 25 kW·h per capita |
The electricity sector in Norway relies predominantly on hydroelectricity. A significant share of the total electrical production is consumed by national industry.
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Of the total production in 2007 of 137 TWh, 135 TWh was from hydroelectric plants, 1 536 GWh was from thermal power, and 892 GWh was wind generated.[1] In same year, the total consumption was 115 TWh.[2]
The annual electricity consumption was about 26-27 GWh per inhabitant during 2004-2009 when the European union (EU15) average in 2008 was 7.4 GWh. Norway’s consumption of electricity was over three times higher per person compared to the EU 15 average in 2008. The domestic electricity supply promotes use of electricity. [3]
| Electricity pro person in Norway (kWh/ hab.)[4] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use | Production | Import | Imp./Exp. % | Fossil | Nuclear | Nuc. % | Other RE* | Bio+waste | Wind | Non RE use* | RE %* | |
| 2004 | 26,601 | 24,096 | 2,505 | 9.4 % | 105 | 0 | 0 % | 23,893 | 98 | 2,610 | 90.2% | |
| 2005 | 27,297 | 29,894 | -2,597 | -9.5 % | 108 | 0 | 0 % | 29,701 | 84 | -2,488 | 109.1% | |
| 2006 | 27,349 | 29,490 | -2.141 | -7.8 % | 167 | 0 | 0 % | 29,195 | 128 | -1,974 | 107.2% | |
| 2008 | 27,398 | 30,355 | -2,957 | -10.8 % | 151 | 0 | 0 % | 30,130 | 74 | -2,806 | 110.2% | |
| 2009** | 25,691 | 27,549 | -1,858 | -7.2 % | 919 | 0 | 0 % | 26,388* | 63 | 209* | -969 | 103.8% |
| **2009 Check updates * Other RE is waterpower, solar and geothermal electricity and windpower until 2008 * Non RE use = use – production of renewable electricity RE % = (production of RE / use) * 100 % Note: EU calculates the share of renewable energies in gross electrical consumption. |
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Norway has an open electric market, integrated with the other Nordic countries. Export and import is routine over the direct power links to Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. The market is handled by NASDAQ OMX Commodities Europe and Nord Pool Spot. Many of the hydroelectric plants in Norway are easily adjustable and can adapt well to variations in demand, and hence in price. On a normal day, when price is low during nighttime, Norway normally imports power, and exports during daytime when the price is higher.
During the last few years a combination of high power prices in the market and less than usual rainfall has made the power system more vulnerable to power shortages. So far consumers in Norway have noted this by paying a higher price for electrical power during wintertime, however still a low price in international terms.
Hydroelectric power is the main mode of production. Wind power offers huge export opportunities. Norway’s potentials for wind power are excellent and the electricity production exceeds its own use. The solar industry development in Norway is significant.
Norway is considered by many to have particular expertise in the area of building and operation of hydroelectric power plants.
Hydroelectricity was 98.5 % of electricity generation in 2008. 141 TWh hydropower in 2008 was 4.3 % of the world total. The installed capacity of hydropower was 29 GW in 2007.[5]
According to IEA Norway was the 6th in the hydroelectricity power in the world in 2008 after China, Canada, Brazil, United States and Russia.[5]
The national support for solar power is in place since 2008.[6] The solar companies include Renewable Energy Corporation REC, Elkem Solar and NorSun. REC is a solar power company with headquarters in Norway. It has solar manufacturing facility in Bécancour, Quebec, Canada and the United States. Revenue was NOK 13.78 billion in 2010. [7] Elkem Solar was part of Norwegian Elkem. Orkla Group sold it with $2 mrd. in January 2011 to a Chinese chemical company China National Bluestar head office in Beijing.[8] NorSun is a private solar cell producer.[9]
Norway has imported up to 10 % of its electricity production during 2004-2009.)[4] According to IEA the net electricity export was 14 TWh and the hydro power production 141 TWh in 2008.[5]
A new high-voltage link between Nea in Norway and Järpströmmen in Sweden was commissioned in 2009.[10]
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