Electricity, December 2012

The large increase in hydro power generation may be seen in conjunction with a high reservoir filling and large inflow to Norwegian water basins in 2012. At the start of the year, according to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, the reservoir filling was 9.2 per cent above the median level. Large inflows to the water basins ensured that the reservoirs were higher than the median level throughout most of 2012. The building of power plants and upgrading of old power plants also contribute to a higher production level over time.

Very high net export of power

Norway`s export of power totalled 22 TWh in 2012, whereas imports came to 4.2 TWh. This gave a net export of 17.8 TWh, which is the second highest level ever recorded. Exports were higher than imports of electricity in all months in 2012. 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.

High electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction

Electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction amounted to 76 TWh in 2012; an increase of 5 per cent compared with the previous year. An important explanatory variable of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction is temperature. This is due to the fact that much of this electricity consumption is used for heating. Hence, the increase may be seen in conjunction with the colder weather in 2012. Households, services and manufacturing other than the power-intensive manufacturing 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.

Roughly unchanged electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing in 2012

Electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing was 33.4 TWh in 2011. This is 0.7 per cent lower compared with 2011, and 17 per cent lower compared with the average of the period 2000-2008 before the financial crisis.

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 6.3 TWh in 2012. This is 16 per cent higher compared to 2011. The electricity consumption in extraction on the mainland encompasses receiving and processing plants for crude oil and natural gas.