Wind power – the paradox of plenty

Norway is blessed with abundant hydropower resources, holding approximately half of Europe’s reservoir capacity, and is the only industrialized nation meeting almost all of its domestic electricity needs through hydropower. However, Norway still needs to develop its wind power if it is to meet the EU’s 2020 goal for renewable energy and promote development of its power-intensive industries at home, says Øyvind Isachsen, Norwegian Wind Energy Association (NORWEA) secretary general.

Norway’s hydropower history dates back one hundred years. Today, industry accounts for one quarter of Norway’s hydropower electricity consumption, mostly from power intensive sectors such as aluminium and solar cell production. With the discovery of oil in the 1960s, the country has been able to sell its excess energy abroad as the world’s third largest gas exporter and fifth largest in oil.

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Source: Nortrade