Datasentre: – Raskeste veksten i moderne tid

New report from Norsk Energi- og Vassdirektoratet (NVE) warns that the rapid growth of data centers may lead to the fastest increase in energy consumption in modern times. Kjetil Lund, NVE's director of water and energy, states that without new power production, Norway could face a power deficit in the near future. Higher energy prices in Norway compared to neighboring countries are expected to become the norm.

In the past year, NVE and Statnett have repeatedly warned about the risk of a power deficit due to growing demand for electricity from actors such as battery factories and hydrogen and ammonia production. Now, data centers are seeking enormous amounts of electricity. Many of these plans may be abandoned due to limited capacity in the power system.

Currently, Norway has an annual energy surplus of about 15 terawatt-hours (TWh) out of a total production of around 160 TWh. However, if the current trend continues, Norway may become dependent on importing electricity, warns NVE. This could result in expensive electricity and periods of very high prices, according to Lund.

If energy consumption continues to grow without new wind power development on land or offshore wind, Norway could become a net importer of electricity by 2035, according to NVE. In one scenario, Norway faces a power balance of -4 TWh in 2035. The debate over subsidies for offshore wind and land wind power has been ongoing, with land wind power facing much opposition from the public, environmentalists, and farmers.

It may take many years before significant new wind power can be installed. NVE recently approved the first new wind power contract in nearly a decade.