2025/10/22 by Dag Harald Claes · 1 voice
Energy · #Energy, Environment, and Transportation Policies #Global Energy Security and Policy #Global Energy and Sustainability Research
paper · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198888581.013.0035
openalex publication_date 2025/10/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/23 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Abstract Norway is a country rich in energy resources. Most domestic energy consumption is based on hydroelectricity, with low production costs. Since the beginning of the industry, more than a century ago, the Norwegian government has taken control over the ownership and governance of the power sector. However, the sector was reformed in the 1990s, with the introduction of free trade and a power exchange in the wholesale market. In 1969, oil and gas were discovered on the Norwegian continental shelf. Also, this sector has been regulated and controlled by the government. Income from oil and gas exports have created large revenues for the Norwegian state. The chapter discuss the political and administrative challenges in governing these two key sectors of Norwegian economy and society. In addition, two external challenges are highlighted: first, the somewhat conflicted energy relations with the European Union, as Norwegian interests as an oil and gas export clashed with EU Members’ interests, as oil and gas importers. Second, Norway is in a paradoxical situation as an internationally active supporter of climate action and, at the same time, a large oil and gas exporter.