Total investments are expected to increase in 2019

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Companies’ latest investment estimates for 2019 are expected to increase within oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and quarrying and electricity supply. New 2018 estimates are adjusted downwards, but still show growth compared to 2017.

The investment survey conducted in May within oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and quarrying and electricity supply suggest that total investments will amount to NOK 211 billion. This is 7.4 per cent higher than the corresponding figure for 2018. The increase in 2019 is driven by positive investment forecasts within the oil and gas industry as well as for manufacturing. Investments within electricity supply are expected to be at the same level as in 2018.

Companies’ latest investment estimates for 2018 are 2 per cent lower compared to the first quarter of 2018. The investments in 2018 amounted to NOK 222 billion, measured in current value. This is however 4.6 per cent higher than the estimates given for 2018 at the same time last year. This increment in 2018 is particularly due to the investment growth in electricity supply. For more details about investments within the oil and gas industry, please see the following article (link).

Figure 1. Estimated investments collected in 2nd quarter same year

Extraction and pipeline transport Manufacturing, mining and quarrying Electricity supply, gas and steam
2008 136766 31919 13799
2009 149245 26546 12958
2010 145447 19604 14653
2011 150104 19823 18735
2012 191543 20993 21696
2013 219668 20527 20681
2014 241387 21474 22495
2015 200262 20684 24783
2016 169896 23204 27345
2017 154381 22616 34780
2018 156454 25111 40032

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, quarterly final investments had the following development from the 4th quarter of 2017 to the 1st quarter of 2018:

  • Oil and gas: -8.4%
  • Manufacturing : -1.5%
  • Electricity supply: 6.1%

Figure 2. Final investments per quarter. Seasonally adjusted. 2005=100

Manufacturing Electricity supply, gas and steam Extraction and pipeline transport
Q1-2008 174.7 169.4 132.9
Q2-2008 180 168.3 130.8
Q3-2008 180.8 162.1 142
Q4-2008 180.7 164.4 150.4
Q1-2009 153.9 155.7 164.9
Q2-2009 124.5 148.7 154.7
Q3-2009 111.6 149.1 148.4
Q4-2009 99.7 147.8 141
Q1-2010 102.1 145.2 137.6
Q2-2010 100.6 164.7 148.4
Q3-2010 89.8 187.1 133.2
Q4-2010 99.4 178.1 144.7
Q1-2011 98.3 197.5 156.3
Q2-2011 99.2 204.1 161.1
Q3-2011 107.9 188.4 176.9
Q4-2011 104.5 214.5 183.4
Q1-2012 111 218.5 188.5
Q2-2012 109.3 206.8 195.9
Q3-2012 98.4 235 194.1
Q4-2012 106.1 245.3 214.9
Q1-2013 98.9 222.8 225.1
Q2-2013 112.4 234.5 234.9
Q3-2013 107.9 245.7 253.6
Q4-2013 103.7 253.2 253.2
Q1-2014 113.1 258.1 253.9
Q2-2014 110.6 274.8 254.5
Q3-2014 112.2 247.8 249.1
Q4-2014 117.9 248.7 237.4
Q1-2015 99 260.2 242.4
Q2-2015 104.9 269.1 229.9
Q3-2015 117.3 268.9 216.4
Q4-2015 108.1 289 204.3
Q1-2016 124.8 301.2 191.6
Q2-2016 126.5 287.3 186.5
Q3-2016 125.7 320.8 178.7
Q4-2016 127.7 324.1 172.4
Q1-2017 122.1 355.3 168.9
Q2-2017 109.8 312.4 171.2
Q3-2017 113 430.5 152
Q4-2017 120.6 377 167.4
Q1-2018 118.8 400 153.4

Wind farm developments give investment growth in electricity supply in 2018

The latest investments in electricity supply for 2018 amounted to NOK 40.0 billion. This is 15 per cent higher than the final investments for 2017. This significant growth is particularly due to a high investment level within the production sector. The growth can be related to investment in new wind farm developments, as well as a higher investment level within the transmission and distribution sector compared to 2017. Installation of new power meters (AMS) and upgrades in the power grid explain this development.

The first estimates for 2019 indicate that investment within electricity supply will remain at the same level next year as in 2018. Investments within production of electricity are estimated to grow 30 per cent, where a significant part of the growth can also be related to wind farm developments. Investments in transmission and distribution of electricity now show a decline of 16 per cent for 2019. This decline is linked to the completion of the installation of AMS smart meters in 2018.

Figure 3. Investments. Electricity supply, gas and steam. Estimates given on different points in time

2016 2017 2018 2019
May t-1 27533 30402 34355 34409
Aug t-1 26328 30938 34567
Nov t-1 26630 31616 37738
Feb t 28100 33977 41168
May t 27345 34780 40032
Aug t 27213 34034
Nov t 27123 32688
Feb t+1 26222 31396

Increase in manufacturing investments in 2018

Latest estimates for manufacturing amounted to NOK 23.7 billion in 2018; 7.8 per cent higher than the corresponding figure for 2017. The expected growth in 2018 is due to high investment within the industry grouping refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceutical products as well as paper and paper products, and machinery and equipment also contributed to this increment. The overall increase in 2018 is somewhat dampened by a lower investment level within basic metals, fabricated metal products and ships, boats and oil platforms.

Figure 4. Investments. Manufacturing, mining and quarrying. Estimates given on different points in time

2016 2017 2018 2019
May t-1 18828 17014 17914 20759
Aug t-1 20002 16187 18006
Nov t-1 21762 18574 21618
Feb t 22388 21618 24776
May t 23204 22616 25111
Aug t 22988 22310
Nov t 22518 21687
Feb t+1 23789 21982

1 The contribution by industry is calculated by multiplying the percentage change of the industry with the industry's share of manufacturing.

Figure 5. Contribution by industry for rate of change in manufacturing 2018/2017¹. Estimated collected in Q2 same year

Contribution by ind. Percentage change
Furniture and manufacturing n.e.c. 0.6
Repair, installation of machinery 0.8
Transport equipment n.e.c 0.9
Ships, boats and oil platforms -0.8
Machinery and equipment 2.0
Computer and electrical equipment -0.7
Fabricated metal products -1.4
Basic metals -3.3
Rubber, plastic and mineral prod. 1.2
Refined petro., chemicals, pharmac. 5.5
Printing, reproduction -0.4
Paper and paper products 1.8
Wood and wood products 1.5
Textiles, wearing apparel, leather 0.0
Food, beverages and tobacco 0.1
Manufacturing 7.8

Manufacturing investments are expected to increase in 2019

The first estimates for 2019 indicate an increase in manufacturing investments; 15 per cent higher compared with the corresponding figure for 2018. The expected growth in 2019 is due to a high level of investments in the industry grouping refined petroleum, chemicals and pharmaceuticals; 40 per cent higher compared with the corresponding figure for 2018. In addition, higher growth is expected within food products. The investment growth for this sector can particularly be related to the processing and preserving of fish. It is important to note that early estimates for next year can be somewhat uncertain and should be interpreted with caution.

1 The contribution by industry is calculated by multiplying the percentage change of the industry with the industry's share of manufacturing

Figure 6. Contribution by industry for rate of change in manufacturing 2019/2018¹. Estimates collected in Q2 the previous year

Contribution by ind. Percentage change
Furniture and manufacturing n.e.c. 0.4
Repair, installation of machinery 3.3
Transport equipment n.e.c 0.5
Ships, boats and oil platforms -0.1
Machinery and equipment 1.6
Computer and electrical equipment -0.1
Fabricated metal products 0.8
Basic metals -6.9
Rubber, plastic and mineral prod. -0.5
Refined petro., chemicals, pharmac. 9.8
Printing, reproduction -0.1
Paper and paper products 2.7
Wood and wood products 0.5
Textiles, wearing apparel, leather 0.3
Food, beverages and tobacco 2.9
Manufacturing 15.1