Norway has achieved an impressive milestone by obtaining more than 99% of its electricity from low-carbon sources, with the majority coming from hydropower, which constitutes more than 90% of the total electricity generation. Wind power also contributes significantly to this clean energy landscape, making up almost 9% of the electricity mix in the country. This achievement, from August 2024 to July 2025, underscores Norway's commitment to sustainable energy production. However, as Norway looks toward the future, the challenge lies in expanding electricity generation further to meet the growing needs of electrifying transportation, heating, and industry. This transition will require an increase in low-carbon electricity generation to continue reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which have detrimental impacts on the climate and air quality.
Is Electricity Growing in Norway?
Despite Norway's success in maintaining a predominantly low-carbon electricity system, the growth of electricity consumption has not rebounded to past highs. The latest data indicates that electricity consumption in 2025 stands at approximately 28,492 kWh per person, which is still a notable decrease from the record level in 2000 of 31,839 kWh per person, showing a decrease of about 3,346 kWh. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation per person also followed this declining trend, decreasing by around 3,462 kWh compared to the year 2000. This decline may reflect various factors, including economic shifts or improvements in energy efficiency; however, it also highlights the critical need to focus on increasing clean electricity generation to support future demands driven by advancements in technology and sector-wide electrification.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Norway should prioritize the development of solar and nuclear energy sources along with optimizing its existing hydropower and wind capabilities. Investing in nuclear energy provides a reliable and substantial addition to the clean energy mix, significantly boosting electricity generation capabilities. Moreover, solar power, with its decreasing costs and increasing efficiency, can complement existing energy sources, especially during periods of high demand. It is crucial for Norway to implement policies that encourage the growth of these low-carbon technologies, facilitating a robust and sustainable energy system that meets the future needs of an electrified society while mitigating the detrimental effects of fossil fuels.
History
Throughout the history of low-carbon electricity in Norway, hydropower has been the dominant force with various notable shifts over the years. In the early 1980s, there were substantial increases in hydropower generation, highlighted by a 13 TWh increase in 1983. The late 1990s to early 2000s experienced significant variations, with a dramatic increase of 20.4 TWh in 2000 followed by a decrease of 21.3 TWh in 2001. Such fluctuations underscore the variability inherent in hydropower-related factors, such as water availability. In contrast, more recent years have seen incremental declines, as in 2019 with a drop of 13.7 TWh, demonstrating the need to supplement hydropower with other stable sources like nuclear energy to ensure a consistent and reliable electricity supply for the future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.