Norway is on track to face a power shortfall as electricity demand grows far faster than new generation capacity, according to a new report from risk management and energy consultancy DNV.
The report concludes that demand will rise by 18 terawatt-hours (TWh) over the next five years, while new power projects are expected to add only 3 TWh in the same period. DNV said this imbalance could leave Norway with a deficit around 2030 and lead to annual net imports of up to 5 TWh in the early 2030s.
“Geopolitics, national priorities, and lack of public support are slowing down Norway’s renewable energy efforts,” said Remi Eriksen, group president and chief executive of DNV. He said grid expansion must accelerate to ease constraints and handle more variable generation.
The report highlights rapid growth in electricity consumption from data centres, energy-intensive industry and the electrification of oil and gas operations. Sverre Alvik, research director for energy transition at DNV, said: “Demand for electricity from data centers, energy-intensive industry, electrification of oil and gas operations, and transport is increasing much faster than new power production.”
DNV estimates that data centres alone will consume 15 TWh by 2040, representing about 7% of Norway’s expected electricity use.
The report warns that sustained focus on Norwegian gas could limit investment and political attention for broader industrial development. “Data centers, industry, and other power users can be strategically important, but not everything can have the same priority,” Alvik said. He noted that green industrial opportunities could shift to countries that are building renewable capacity and grid infrastructure more quickly.
