All-time high domestic electricity consumption

The all-time high electricity consumption can be seen in conjunction with increased consumption in extraction of crude oil and natural gas and in power-intensive manufacturing. In addition, increasing prosperity and growth among the population contribute to higher electricity consumption over time. The gross consumption of electricity encompasses consumption in the groups extraction of crude oil and natural gas, power-intensive manufacturing and electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction. Net loss, pump storage use and other own consumption in the power stations are also included.

Higher electricity consumption in extraction of crude oil and natural gas

Electricity consumption in plants for extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas on the mainland, including electricity distributed from the mainland to the Norwegian Shelf, amounted to 7.7 TWh in 2017. This is 0.6 TWh or 8.5 per cent higher compared to 2016. The electricity consumption in extraction on the mainland encompasses receiving and processing plants for crude oil and natural gas.

Rise in the electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing

Electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing was 36.4 TWh in 2017. This is 0.4 TWh or 1.2 per cent higher compared with the previous year.

Small decrease in the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction

Electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction amounted to 79.2 TWh in 2017; a decrease of 0.3 per cent or 0.3 TWh compared with 2016. Households, services and manufacturing other than power-intensive manufacturing account for the majority of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction. Electricity consumption in households amounts to approximately 50 per cent of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction.

Large electricity generation

Electricity generation totalled 149.3 TWh in 2017, which is only 0.2 per cent or 0.3 TWh lower compared with the record year 2016 and the second highest level ever recorded. The large hydro power generation can be seen in conjunction with a high inflow of water to the Norwegian water reservoirs. The building of power plants and upgrading of old power plants also contribute to a higher production level over time. A common Norwegian-Swedish market for electricity certificates was established in January 2012 and has stimulated the development of renewable power.

All-time high wind power generation

Wind power generation totalled 2.9 TWh in 2017, which is 35 per cent or 0.7 TWh higher compared with 2016 and the highest level ever recorded. The increase must be seen in conjunction with several new wind power plants in 2017. In addition, most of the existing wind power plants showed an increase compared with 2016.

Hydro power still dominates the electricity generation

Hydro power accounted for 95.8 per cent of the total electricity production in 2017, while thermal and wind power accounted for 2.3 and 1.9 per cent respectively. Compared to 2016, the wind power`s share of total production increased by 0.5 percentage points, while hydro power`s share of total production fell by 0.5 percentage points.

Large net export of power

Norway`s export of power totalled 21.3 TWh in 2017, while imports came to 6.1 TWh. This gave a net export of 15.2 TWh. Exports were higher than imports of electricity in all months in 2017. Exchange of power between countries is determined by differences in generation and the consumption situation and prices, in addition to the capacity of the power lines. The large net export may be seen in conjunction with warm weather in Norway and good supply of water. This contributed to lower average spot prices for electricity in the Norwegian price areas compared with the other Nordic price areas and the Netherlands.