Low electricity consumption, increased exports

The consumption of electricity in power intensive manufacturing is still record low. In September it was reduced by 23 percent compared with the corresponding month last year. Production remained almost unchanged, while exports increased more than 50 percent.

So far this year the electricity consumption in power intensive and pulp and paper manufacturing amounts to 19,981 and 3,784 GWh respectively. This is a decline of 22 and 17 percent compared with the corresponding period in 2008. The decrease in electricity consumption is mostly due to lower demand from abroad caused by the financial crisis. Compared with last month there was a 2.9 percent increase in electricity consumption in power intensive manufacturing.

Lower electricity consumption excluding power intensive manufacturing

The electricity consumption excluding power intensive manufacturing amounted to 5,314 GWh in September; 3.4 percent lower compared with the corresponding month in 2008. The reduction in consumption can be viewed in conjunction with higher average temperatures. In September, the average temperature in Norway was 1.1 degrees higher compared with the same month last year. Households, services and manufacturing other than the power-intensive account for the majority of the consumption.

To read the rest of the story visit Statistics Norway.