Norway is heading for a major power shortfall as electricity demand rises six times faster than new generation, a new analysis from DNV warns.
The Energy Transition Outlook Norway report shows the country is on track for a deficit by around 2030, forcing annual net imports of up to five terawatt-hours in the early 2030s.
Over the next five years, demand will rise by 18TWh—equivalent to one million households—while new power projects will deliver only 3TWh.
This imbalance threatens Norway’s industrial competitiveness and its ability to support Europe’s clean energy shift.
“Geopolitics, national priorities, and lack of public support are slowing down Norway’s renewable energy efforts,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV.
“Onshore and offshore wind power are the only mature and scalable solutions that can provide new capacity quickly and at an acceptable cost.”
Growth in data centres is intensifying pressure on the grid.
Their electricity demand is forecast to reach 15TWh by 2040, or 7% of national consumption.
DNV warns that competing demand from oil and gas, data centres and protected households will squeeze new green industries.
Without urgent expansion of renewable power and transmission infrastructure, Norway risks losing emerging clean-tech opportunities to faster-moving countries.
The report concludes that Norway will miss its climate targets for 2030, 2035 and 2050 unless the pace of renewable deployment accelerates dramatically.
Norway faces looming energy shortfall as demand outpaces renewable growth appeared first on Energy Live News.