The ratio of natural energy resources per capita is very high in Norway, with hydropower representing the most important resource. The country’s topography and hydrological status results in concentrated rainfall in the western areas leading in turn to high run-off through waterfalls and river systems. A multitude of natural lakes and waters at high altitudes in sparsely populated or uninhabited mountain areas has made it possible to construct a series of dams and regulation reservoirs that can store water from the spring, summer and autumn for use during the subsequent winter.
The other important resource for the domestic energy supply is petroleum from the Norwegian continental shelf. It is estimated that Norway’s overall petroleum deposits amount to 13.2 billion Sm3 oe. While most of Norway’s petroleum products are exported, the resources used at home are utilized in the production of fuel for vehicles, for domestic and industrial heating and as a raw material for the petro-chemical industry.
Coal is extracted in Spitsbergen on the Svalbard archipelago, but does not comprise a significant component of the mainland energy supply.
In addition to hydropower, Norway’s renewable energy resources include wave power, solar energy, wind power and biomass. Together, these alternatives could supply some 20 TWh per annum. Norway has the potential to exploit wind energy, especially in coastal areas, but the cost of the facilities remains high. Electrically-powered heat pumps for the exploitation of heat from the soil and other surroundings can also be used to meet some of the demand for heating.
Housing is generally built so as to make maximum use of the natural heat of the sun. Direct solar heat is also utilized in special niche areas, such as solar panels for lighting, radio and television equipment in holiday cottages. Biomass, i.e. wood chippings and other biological material from agriculture and industry, is used to some degree but has not yet reached its full potential. Wave energy has been the subject of extensive research, but has thus far only been introduced on a small scale.