Detailed Specific Example: Norway

Energy mix in Norway

Energy mix in Norway

• Norway is a High Income Country (HIC) in northern Europe

• The demand for energy is one of the highest in the world

• The population is mainly urban with 83% of people living in towns and cities

Energy resources

• Norway has significant energy resources, including:

  • 1% of the world's gas reserves (17th in the world)

  • 0.3% of the world's oil reserves (22nd in the world)

  • There are also some coal reserves

• Norway is one of the world's largest energy exporters

• Hydropower generates 90% of Norway's electricity and accounts for 65% of energy use

Impacts of energy types in Norway

Impacts of energy types in Norway

• The reliance on hydropower in Norway has several impacts, including:

  • Flooding of large areas of land

  • Dams create physical barriers to fish migration and impact on breeding areas

  • River flow rates are impacted, which can negatively affect wildlife

  • Water temperature and sediment levels are altered

  • Habitat destruction

• The production of hydropower can be impacted by climate conditions

  • In 2022, Norway experienced drought conditions leading to a decrease in energy supply and an increase in energy prices

• Although much of the oil and gas extracted by Norway is exported, the extraction impacts the environment by:

  • Increasing the risk of oil spills and leaks

  • Underwater noise pollution affects marine life

  • The burning of the fossil fuels increases greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to global warming

Strategies used to manage energy supplies in Norway

Strategies used to manage energy supplies in Norway

• There are over 1500 hydropower plants in Norway

• Due to the issue of reliance on hydropower during the dry season and the environmental impact of large hydropower plants Norway is expanding other renewable energy sources

• Demand continues to increase

• Norway is expanding the number of wind farms:

  • There are currently 53 wind farms

  • Plans for 36 additional onshore and offshore are due to be started or completed by 2030

    • Includes the world's first floating wind farm

• Norway is also investing in solar energy:

  • Homeowners in Oslo get a 30% subsidy for installing solar panels

• To reduce the consumption of oil, Norway is encouraging the population to move to electric cars:

  • In 2021, 66% of all new car sales in Norway were electric