Trends in energy use

Trends in final energy consumption in Norway

Most of the rise in energy use after 1990 took place before 2000, see the figure below. Up to 1999, there was a steady rise in energy use in all sectors of the mainland economy. Since then, household energy use has levelled off , and energy use in manufacturing has declined. Final energy consumption totalled 213TWh in 2017, which is somewhat lower than the average since 2000.

Two main factors explain these trends. Firstly, the economy as a whole has shifted towards less energy-intensive activities, which require less energy per unit produced. The service sector has grown, and manufacturing accounts for a smaller share of the economy.

Secondly, energy use has become more efficient. Technological developments have given us more efficient machinery and equipment, there has been a switch from fossil energy sources to electricity, and targeted action has been taken to improve energy efficiency. All of these factors have moderated growth in energy use.

The growth of the economy as a whole, and particularly the rise in private consumption, has resulted in rising energy use for the transport of people and goods. There has been a steady rise in energy use in the transport sector since 1990, in contrast to the situation in other sectors. In 2017, energy use for transport was 30 % higher than in 1990. However, wider use of diesel and technological advances have made energy use more efficient. Energy use measured per person-kilometre and per tonne-kilometre was lower in 2017 than in 1990.

The overall result is that the Norwegian economy has become gradually less energy-intensive over the past  years. The figure below shows that the energy intensity of the Norwegian economy has declined by more than 40 % since 1990. This indicates that economic growth and energy use have become less tightly coupled.

Energy intensity in the Norwegian mainland economy, shown as percentage change since 1990.

Per capita energy use has also declined in Norway during this period, and was 8 % lower in 2015 than in 1990 (see the figure below).

The same trend can be seen for per capita energy use in the household sector. Average per capita energy use in the household sector has declined, and was 7 % lower in 2017 than in 1990. This reduction occurred despite a reduction in the number of people per household, an increase in the living space per person, and the fact that the value of private consumption has more than doubled. Various factors have helped to reduce energy use in the household sector, including the introduction of more energy-efficient equipment, stricter building regulations and the increasing use of electricity and heat pumps for heating people’s homes.