Record high wind power generation

The increase must be seen in conjunction with several new wind power plants in recent years. The wind power generation is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of about 240 000 households, according to new figures in Electricity.

Small decrease in electricity production

The electricity generation came to 146.8 TWh in 2018, which is 1.6 per cent or 2.4 TWh lower than the record year of 2017, which had the second highest production level ever recorded. The building of power plants and upgrading of old power plants 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 building of renewable power.

Hydro power still dominates electricity generation

Hydro power accounted for 95 per cent of the total electricity production in 2018, while thermal and wind power accounted for 2.4 and 2.6 per cent respectively. Compared to 2017, the wind power`s share of total production increased by 0.7 percentage points.

Large net export of power

Norway’s export of power totaled 18.5 TWh in 2018, while imports came to 8.3 TWh. This gave a net export of about 10 TWh. Apart from March, April and December, exports were higher than imports for electricity. The 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.

Record high domestic electricity consumption

The gross consumption of electricity came to 136.7 TWh in 2018; an increase of 1.9 per cent compared with 2017 and the highest level ever recorded.

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 8.5 TWh in 2018. This is 10 per cent higher compared to 2017. The electricity consumption in extraction on the mainland encompasses receiving and processing plants for crude oil and natural gas.

Electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing was 37 TWh in 2018. This is 0.7 TWh or 1.8 per cent higher compared with the previous year.

Electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction amounted to 80.5 TWh in 2018; an increase of 1.7 per cent compared with 2017. Households, services and manufacturing other than power-intensive manufacturing account for most of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction.