Figures from Statnett and Statistics Norway show that Norway has produced 19.7 TWh of electricity so far this summer (June+July), which is a record low for the time of year. Net export during the same time is 3.4 TWh. Or in other words: More than 17 per cent of Norwegian power production this summer has been exported. It is happening against a “rationing specter” where the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy reports that export limits and requirements for reservoir filling “may be appropriate measures” to ensure security of supply next winter. From before, NVE, on order from the ministry, has introduced stricter and weekly reporting requirements for 20 of the most important power producers in the island. The background is an ongoing debate about whether corporate economic considerations – as opposed to social considerations – cause hydropower producers to draw too much water from the reservoirs because it is profitable in the short term. More water in the reservoirs can mean lower electricity prices in the autumn. Exporting less power to Europe The export of power from Eastern Norway, Southern Norway and Western Norway has been reduced from 1.2 TWh in July last year to 0.3 TWh in July until 18 July. The export of electricity was as large in June as in June last year. Norway has exported electricity to Europe so far this year that corresponds to the consumption of almost 470,000 households, which is slightly less than last year. Net exports (exports minus imports) are 7.5 TWh from January to mid-July this year. At the same time last year, exports were 7.9 TWh. Source: Statnett Between 2020–2022, around 2.3 TWh of new hydroelectric power has been seen in production in Norway, distributed among 85 hydropower plants. Photo: Christine Fagerbakke / news – The minister must use an even stronger remedy – The government must order the companies to save water in the reservoirs, and the minister must use an even stronger remedy (than admonitions), said the parliamentary deputy leader of the Center Party, Geir Pollestad, earlier in July. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) has signed off by saying that he “takes for granted” that the power industry ensures a “reasonable degree of filling”, and that the government “does not need to use stronger lye”. At the end of route 28, the level of filling in Norwegian magazines was 64.0 per cent. Well below what is “normal” at this time of year. If we broaden the perspective, power production was 33.4 TWh in the 2nd quarter of 2022. That is 7 percent lower compared to last year. The vast majority of the decrease is in NO2, where production fell by 17 per cent (5.2 TWh). The NO2 price range is often referred to as Southern Norway, but includes Western Norway south of Hardangervidda, Telemark, Rogaland, Agder and old Vestfold. The decline was due to lower hydropower production, which can be seen in connection with a lower degree of filling in the hydro reservoirs, writes SSB. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) does not rule out electricity rationing, and encourages people to save electricity where they can. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB – It’s a pity that the water flows into the sea Storting representative for Hordaland, Ove Trellevik (H), points out that summer exports mainly consist of non-regular hydro and wind power that it is simply not possible to save or store for later . – In my price range (NO5) we have many small ponds which are quickly filled up. Then it is a shame if the water flows into the sea instead of producing a current, he says. He adds that he “thinks there are very few power companies willing to sell the water now at a lower price than they will get in the winter”. – Then the price will be higher than now. Eivind Heløe, director of renewables and the environment at Energi Noreg, points to the same: – Most of the production in the summer is produced in river power plants. This production cannot – like wind power – be held back. Ove Trellevik (H) says the export mainly consists of unregulated power that cannot be saved for later. Here together with Erna Solberg. Photo: Marit Hommedal / NTB scanpix – We must regulate exports more strictly In the Storting, SV, Frp, Raudt and KrF have gone the furthest to want to “choke” power exports abroad. In April, they were the only ones to vote yes to a proposal to slow the export of electricity abroad during periods of low water. – We must regulate exports more strictly. Not to throttle all exports forever, but to avoid jeopardizing security of supply. For far too long, the intention for the power producers has been the only governing principle, says Sofie Marhaug in Raudt. Terje Halleland (Frp) in the Energy and Environment Committee at the Storting calls the explanation that it is power from wind and river power without storage that goes to export “particularly strange”. – A rainfall-poor autumn will lead the energy nation Norway into a situation where we do not have enough energy to avoid rationing. And we have no guarantees that we can import the necessary power from the EU, he says. He adds: – Now the government is waking up, but it is far too late.
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Still large power exports – despite “saving instructions” – news Vestland
