Electricity, September 2009

So far this year the electricity consumption in power intensive and pulp and paper manufacturing amounts to 19 981 and 3 784 GWh respectively. This is a decline of 22 and 17 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2008. The decrease in electricity consumption is mostly due to lower demand from abroad caused by the financial crisis. Compared with last month there was a 2.9 per cent increase in electricity consumption in power intensive manufacturing.

Lower electricity consumption excluding power intensive manufacturing

The electricity consumption excluding power intensive manufacturing amounted to 5 314 GWh in September; 3.4 per cent lower compared with the corresponding month in 2008. The reduction in consumption can be viewed in conjunction with higher average temperatures. In September, the average temperature in Norway was 1.1 degrees higher compared with the same month last year. Households, services and manufacturing other than the power-intensive account for the majority of the consumption.

So far this year consumption amounts to 57 617 GWh. This is just 0.6 per cent lower compared with the corresponding period last year.

Minor changes in production of electricity

The production of electricity amounted to 10 315 GWh in September. This is the third highest production level recorded in September since 1979. Compared with same month last year there was a 0.2 per cent increase in production. The reservoir level was close to the median in September. At the end of week 39 it amounted to 88 per cent; one percentage point below the median level.

Increased net export of power

Norway’s imports of electricity came to 70 GWh in September, while exports totalled 1 896 GWh. This gave net exports of 1 826 GWh; 52 per cent higher compared with the same month last year.

Tables:

• Table 1 Electricity balance. Monthly. GWh
• Table 2 Production of electricity, on county level. GWh
• Table 3 Consumption excluding power-intensive manufacturing, seasonal and non-seasonal growth from previous month. Per Cent
• Table 4 Electricity balance. Quarterly. GWh