A power system in change

Increased electricity use and new generation

The Nordic power system faces major changes in the years ahead. Electrification of transport, industry, data centres and new industries will lead to a significant increase in electricity consumption toward 2050.

At the same time there is a comprehensive transition on the production side, where a growing share of energy comes from weather-dependent sources such as solar and wind power. This development creates new challenges and opportunities in the energy market, and makes flexibility, energy storage and intelligent control systems ever more important parts of the power system of the future.

A more strained power market

Norway has long had a power surplus, but developments point toward a more strained power system in the years ahead. Demand for electric power is increasing, while new types of consumers are being connected to the grid.

Growth in data centres in particular has received a lot of attention. As of July 2025 a large number of data centre projects are registered in the grid queue or with allocated capacity at Statnett. If many of these projects are realised, it could lead to electricity consumption that is significantly higher than earlier forecasts have assumed.

Flexibility becomes the key

In parallel with this development, the dynamics of the power market are also changing. Increasing solar production in Europe affects the price pattern and leads to larger variations through the day.

Power prices will more often be low in the middle of the day when solar production is at its highest, while the price level can be higher in periods with lower production. This creates a greater need for solutions that can store energy when production is high and availability is good, and then use or deliver the energy back when the need is greatest.

In such an energy system, the ability to store energy and control both consumption and production in an intelligent way becomes ever more important. Flexibility will play a central role in ensuring good use of available energy resources and contributing to balance in a power system that is becoming more complex than before.