How do power plants in Norway work?

Many power plants in Norway have storage reservoirs and production can therefore be adjusted within the constraints set by the licence and the watercourse itself. Wind and solar power are intermittent; electricity can only be generated when the energy is available.

Can Norway build a pumped storage plant?

Because of this the European Network of Transmission System Operator for Electricity (ENTSO-E) has asked Norway and Statnett (Norwegian transmission system operator) to verify the potential of building 14 000 MW pumped storage plant (PSP) in Norway.

Is Norsk Hydro planning a new pumped storage power plant?

In April 2020, the Norwegian Ministry of Energy granted Norsk Hydro a concession to develop the Illvatn pumped storage power plant. An application for a plan change is being processed by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).

How many thermal power plants are there in Norway?

There are 30 thermal power plants in Norway, with a total installed capacity of about 642 MW. The power balance expresses the relationship between production and consumption and indicates whether the Norwegian power system is a net exporter or importer in a particular year.

How many hydropower reservoirs are there in Norway?

Norway has more than 1240 hydropower storage reservoirs with a total capacity of 87 TWh. The 30 largest reservoirs provide about half the storage capacity. Total reservoir capacity corresponds to 70% of annual Norwegian electricity consumption. Most of the reservoirs were constructed before 1990.

What makes Norwegian hydropower unique?

A special feature of the Norwegian hydropower system is its high storage capacity. Norway has half of Europe’s reservoir storage capacity, and more than 75 % of Norwegian production capacity is flexible. Production can be rapidly increased and decreased as needed, at low cost.