Record high wind power generation

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A total of 3,9 TWh of wind power was generated in 2018, which is 36 per cent more than in 2017 and the highest level ever recorded. Hydro power still dominates electricity generation.

The increase from 2017 to 2018 was one TWh and must be seen in conjunction with several new wind power plants in 2018.

Although wind power increases rapidly, hydro power still dominates the Norwegian electricity generation. Hydro power accounted for 95 per cent of the total electricity production in 2018, while thermal and wind power accounted for 2.4 and 2.6 per cent respectively. Compared to 2017, the wind power`s share of total production increased by 0.7 percentage points.

Drop in the total electricity generation

Electricity generation totaled 147.1 TWh in 2018; which is 1.6 per cent or 2.3 TWh lower than the record year of 2017.

In 2018, the county of Hordaland had the highest electricity generation. The electricity generation in this county accounted for 14.0 per cent of total production. Other counties with a high production share are Nordland (12.4 per cent) and Sogn og Fjordane (11.3 per cent). See the map showing electricity generation at county level. 

Figure 1. Electricity generation. County. 2018

ØSTFOLD 4346
AKERSHUS 756
OSLO 79
HEDMARK 2343
OPPLAND 6842
BUSKERUD 10556
VESTFOLD 26
TELEMARK 14789
AUST-AGDER 5569
VEST-AGDER 10887
ROGALAND 15059
HORDALAND 20653
SOGN OG FJORDANE 16575
MØRE OG ROMSDAL 6517
TRØNDELAG 7283
NORDLAND 18179
TROMS 2792
FINNMARK 3750
SVALBARD 54
Figure 1. Electricity generation. County. 2018
ØSTFOLD 4346
AKERSHUS 756
OSLO 79
HEDMARK 2343
OPPLAND 6842
BUSKERUD 10556
VESTFOLD 26
TELEMARK 14789
AUST-AGDER 5569
VEST-AGDER 10887
ROGALAND 15059
HORDALAND 20653
SOGN OG FJORDANE 16575
MØRE OG ROMSDAL 6517
TRØNDELAG 7283
NORDLAND 18179
TROMS 2792
FINNMARK 3750
SVALBARD 54

Large net export of power

Norway’s export of power totaled 18.5 TWh in 2018, while imports came to 8.3 TWh. This gave a net export of about 10 TWh. 

All time high domestic electricity consumption

The gross consumption of electricity came to 136.9 TWh in 2018; an increase of 2.0 per cent compared with 2017 and the highest level ever recorded. Among other things, the all-time high electricity consumption can be seen in conjunction with increased consumption in the groups extraction of crude oil and natural gas, production of non-ferrous metals in power-intensive manufacturing and information and communication. The electricity consumption in information and communication increased by 55 per cent from 2017 to 2018. This must be seen in light of new data centers in Norway. Over time increasing prosperity and growth among the population also contribute to higher electricity consumption.

Increase in operating profits for the power industry

After a slight decline in 2017, the operating profit for the power industry rose from 29,3 billion to 44 billion in 2018.

Operating expenses increased by 26,5 per cent, to NOK 126,6 billion, while the operating income was NOK 170,5 in 2018, an increase of 31,9 per cent compared to the previous year. This development may be seen in connection with higher electricity prices in 2018. The price in the elspot market was 41,6 øre/kWh in 2018, an increase of around 50 per cent compared to 2017. 

Figure 2. Income statment for enterprises in electricity industry. Fixed 2015-prices

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Operating income 69631 81813 80897 101223 90641 83100 85193 72474 89019 91450 106807 94306 102588 135363 113287 145724 128784 167939 140759 117292 126962 113114 104104 119507 122565 157310
Operating expenses 55528 68504 65507 85962 75634 68164 70900 57050 65997 67511 82781 69547 72368 99405 83518 105842 96226 127037 108073 89037 96443 86102 81923 90924 94801 116745
Operating profit 14103 13309 15389 15261 15007 14936 14292 15423 23022 23939 24026 24759 30220 35958 29770 39882 32558 40902 32686 28255 30519 27012 22180 28583 27764 40565

Production plants generated 33,2 billion of the total operating profits for the power industry. Grid companies increased their operating profit by 74 per cent to NOK 6, 6 billion1. The operating profit for remaining plants, totaled NOK 4,2 billion. Operating profit is the highest since 2010, measured in 2015-prices.

Continued high power investments in 2018

Total investments in the power industry amounted to NOK 36,9 billion in 2018; an increase of 23,8 per cent. Investments in wind power saw the largest increase. In 2018, investments in wind power totaled NOK 7,5 billion, compared to NOK 4,1 billion the previous year. This is an increase of 82,9 per cent.

Gross investment in the power industry in 2018, amounted to NOK 33,3 billion. The counties with the highest investment levels were Trøndelag and Vest-Agder. 

Figure 3. Gross fixed capital formation. County. 2018

ØSTFOLD 1371
AKERSHUS 1198
OSLO 1607
HEDMARK 957
OPPLAND 934
BUSKERUD 1265
VESTFOLD 392
TELEMARK 861
AUST-AGDER 411
VEST-AGDER 4428
ROGALAND 4185
HORDALAND 1372
SOGN OG FJORDANE 1922
MØRE OG ROMSDAL 1391
TRØNDELAG 6928
NORDLAND 2597
TROMS - ROMSA 989
FINNMARK - FINNMÁRKU 475
Figure 3. Gross fixed capital formation. County. 2018
ØSTFOLD 1371
AKERSHUS 1198
OSLO 1607
HEDMARK 957
OPPLAND 934
BUSKERUD 1265
VESTFOLD 392
TELEMARK 861
AUST-AGDER 411
VEST-AGDER 4428
ROGALAND 4185
HORDALAND 1372
SOGN OG FJORDANE 1922
MØRE OG ROMSDAL 1391
TRØNDELAG 6928
NORDLAND 2597
TROMS - ROMSA 989
FINNMARK - FINNMÁRKU 475

1 Due to reclassifications of type of utility, the figures for grid companies and distribution plants for 2018 are not directly comparable with previous periods. (The note added 2 December 2019)