Document 3:3 (2026−2027) / Published The authorities’ work on energy efficiency
Norway has significant potential to improve energy efficiency, and the Storting has set clear targets. If we fail to meet these targets, this could contribute to higher electricity prices and to more generation capacity and grid infrastructure being built than would otherwise be necessary.
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(PDF, 2.61 MB)
The pdf is in Norwegain
Brief background
Efficient use of energy is key to the cost-effective development of the power system.
The Storting has identified the efficient use of energy as one of the main priority areas for energy policy in the period up to 2030, and has also set two specific targets for 2030 compared with 2015:
- a 30 per cent reduction in energy intensity across the economy as a whole
- a 10 TWh reduction in electricity consumption in buildings
Overall assessment: Unsatisfactory
There are only a few years left until 2030, and significant barriers to energy efficiency remain.
The policy instruments for energy efficiency have not been well enough designed, or powerful enough, to ensure that the Storting’s target of reduced energy intensity across the economy as a whole is met. The consequences of insufficient energy efficiency improvements may be significant.
This is unsatisfactory. Nor are we on track to meet the target set by the Storting in 2024 of a 10 TWh reduction in electricity consumption in buildings by 2030 compared with 2015.
The Ministry of Energy, as the authority responsible for energy policy, has not secured sufficient management information to identify the need for changes in the use of policy instruments. The Ministry’s governance of the work on energy efficiency has not been satisfactory.
Conclusions
- Energy efficiency has improved, but Norway is not on track to meet the Storting’s specific targets with the current policy instruments.
- Policy instruments for energy efficiency in buildings and industry are contributing to energy efficiency, but significant barriers remain.
- There are weaknesses in the authorities’ governance.
Recommendations
The National Audit Office of Norway recommends that the Ministry of Energy, in cooperation with the relevant authorities:
- strengthen its follow-up of the work on energy efficiency in order to achieve better results.
- ensure comprehensive governance and follow-up by obtaining the information needed to monitor developments in energy efficiency in all sectors, and to identify the most cost-effective measures and the policy instruments that can trigger them
- adjust the use of policy instruments to further reduce barriers and ensure the implementation of energy efficiency measures in buildings and industry