As an energy-rich country, Norway is in a unique starting position with respect to the energy transition. An abundance of affordable hydropower has enabled the development of energy-intensive industries and a high level of electrification of homes and businesses with limited GHG emissions.
Hydropower: A long history of development – Norway Reports
Norway''s power sector is characterized by its high share of renewable energy and its negligible carbon footprint. As of January 1st, 2018, the total installed hydropower capacity of 31,837 MW and a production of 141 TWh, representing 94.3% of the country''s total capacity.
More than 100 years after the first hydroelectric power plant was built in Norway, nearly all our electricity production is based on hydropower. Along with oil and gas technology, Norwegian hydropower technology is in the forefront globally.
In a normal year, the Norwegian hydropower plants produce 136.49 TWh, which is about 88% of Norway''s total power production. Water inflow and installed capacity determine how much hydropower the Norwegian system can produce. Inflow varies considerably during the year and from one year to another.
Today, Norway has 1,166 hydroelectric generating stations. Modern advances in technology. A boom in small-scale – 10MW or less – hydropower installations was kickstarted by the introduction of renewable energy certificates.
Electricity production in Norway is for the most part based on flexible hydropower, but both wind and thermal energy contributes to the Norwegian electricity production. In 2013, Norway produced 134 terawatt hours (TWh) electricity. One TWh equals one billion kilowatt hours (kWh).
How Norway produces hydropower with a minimal carbon footprint
In Norway, approximately 96 per cent of all electricity is generated by renewable hydropower. This has given Norwegian industry stable access to inexpensive, clean energy. When it comes to energy-intensive heavy industry in particular, Norway has one of the world''s smallest carbon footprints.
Hydroelectric power is the main mode of electricity production. Norway is known for its particular expertise in the development of efficient, environment-friendly hydroelectric power plants.
Norway is a heavy producer of renewable energy because of hydropower. Over 99% of the electricity production in mainland Norway is from 31 GW hydropower plants (86 TWh reservoir capacity, storing water from summer to winter).
Norway currently possesses roughly 50% of Europe''s entire hydropower storage capacity, with a total reservoir volume of 86 TWh. Norway''s large reservoir capacity enables it to be in a position to provide large-scale, cost-effective, and emission-free indirect storage to balance wind and solar generation in other European countries.
