Electricity, July 2011

The production of electricity came to 10 472 GWh in July 2011. This is an increase of 30 per cent compared with the same month in 2010, and the highest level ever recorded in July. The rise can be viewed in conjunction with a higher filling level and the large amount of rain. For the country as a whole, the amount of rainfall was 135 per cent of the normal level in July. At the end of week 30 the filling level amounted to 77 per cent according to NVE (The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate). This is 14.4 percentage points higher compared to the same week in 2010, but 5.2 percentage points below the median level.

Record high net exports of power in July

Norway’s exports of electricity came to 2 367 GWh in July, while imports totalled 89 GWh. This gave net exports of 2 278 GWh; the highest level ever recorded in July. Only twice before, in 2000 and 2002, have net exports exceeded 2 TWh in July. So far this year, net imports amount to 4.8 TWh.

Small reduction in electricity consumption excluding power intensive manufacturing

Electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction amounted to 3 819 GWh in July 2011. This is 1.2 per cent lower compared with the same month in 2010. So far this year, the electricity consumption excluding power intensive manufacturing amounts to 43.3 TWh; a decline of 8.1 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year. The reduction in consumption can be viewed in conjunction with warmer weather in 2011. From January to July this year the average temperature in Norway was 1.9 degrees higher compared to the same period in 2010. Households, services and manufacturing other than the power intensive account for the majority of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction. The electricity consumption in households amounts to approximately 50 per cent of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction.

Some increase in electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing

Electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing was 2 876 GWh in July. This is 1.3 per cent higher compared with July 2010. So far this year, electricity consumption amounted to 19.7 TWh; a rise of 1.4 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year.

Tables:

• Table 1 Electricity balance. Monthly. GWh
• Table 2 Production of electricity, on county level. GWh