Wind power generation continues to rise

The all-time high production of wind power must be seen in conjunction with substantial investments in wind power production for several years and opening of new wind power plants. The wind power generation is equivalent to the average electricity consumption of about 620 000 households, according to new figures from the statistic Electricity.

Record high total electricity production

The electricity generation came to 154.2 TWh in 2020; this is 15 per cent or 19.6 TWh more than in 2019 and the highest production ever recorded. The increase in hydro power production can be seen in light of large inflow of water to the Norwegian reservoirs in 2020.

The building of new 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 the electricity generation

Although the wind power has grown rapidly in the last years, hydro power is still dominating the Norwegian power system. Hydro power accounted for 91.8 per cent of the total electricity production of 154.2 TWh in 2020, while thermal and wind power accounted for 1.7 and 6.4 per cent respectively. Compared to 2019, the wind power`s share of total production increased by 2.3 percentage points.

Largest net export of power recorded

Norway`s export of power totaled 25 TWh in 2020, whereas imports came to 4.5 TWh. This gave net export of about 20.5 TWh which is the highest level of net export ever recorded.

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.

Small decrease in domestic electricity consumption

The gross consumption of electricity came to 133.7 TWh in 2020. This is 0.7 per cent lower compared to 2019.

Increase in 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 2020. This is 5.1 per cent higher than in 2019. The electricity consumption in extraction on the mainland encompasses receiving and processing plants for crude oil and natural gas.

Increase in electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing

Electricity consumption in power-intensive manufacturing was 37 TWh in 2020. This is 0.5 TWh or 1.3 per cent higher compared with the previous year.

Lower electricity consumption in the group excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction

Electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction amounted to 77.8 TWh in 2020; 3.4 per cent lower compared with 2019. Households, services and manufacturing other than power-intensive manufacturing account for the majority of the electricity consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing and extraction. According to the Meteorological Institute the average temperature in Norway in 2020 was the highest ever recorded, 2.5 degrees above the average temperature for the period 1961-1990.