Norway – a climate winner?

Climate change will have impact on renewable energy resources, energy demand and the energy system in general in Norway. IFE has together with The Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate and the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo analysed these effects towards 2050.

Climate change will reduce Norway’s heat demand, increase cooling demand, and increase the hydro power potential. The total impact is reduced energy system costs, and lower Norwegian electricity prices. The net electricity export will increase, and national investments in new renewable power production like offshore wind- , tidal- and wave power will decrease due to climate change, is one of the conclusions in the report.

Additionally, the electricity consumption in the residential and in the commercial sector will decrease, and climate change will lead to an earlier profitable implementation of electric based vehicles in Norway. Despite great uncertainties in the future climate, various future emission scenarios are compatible regarding the Norwegian climate impact, although the magnitude of the impact varies.

The researchers behind the report have used ten different sets of climate data based on five global climate models and six future emission scenarios.

From IFE Master of Science Pernille Seljom, Senior Researchers Audun Fidje and Eva Rosenberg have participated in the project. Audun Fidje has been Project Manager.

The complete report can be downloaded  under ”Publications”.