By Nora Buli OSLO, April 8 (Reuters) - Norway should refrain from starting a comprehensive process to introduce nuclear power at present, amid still plentiful hydropower supply and cheaper alternative
Norway Should Delay Nuclear Power Generation Amid Ample Hydropower, Commission Says
Commission Report on Norway's Nuclear Power Prospects
By Nora Buli
Background and Commission Appointment
OSLO, April 8 (Reuters) - Norway should refrain from starting a comprehensive process to introduce nuclear power at present, amid still plentiful hydropower supply and cheaper alternative new energy sources, a government appointment commission said on Wednesday.
The Norwegian government in 2024 appointed the 12-person committee to look at the potential future use of nuclear power in the Nordic country, the first such in-depth review since the 1970s.
Drivers for Nuclear Power Consideration
The need for more emissions-free energy to meet an expected increase in demand from electrification and the ambition of private companies to establish nuclear power production warranted a fresh look at the technology, the government said.
Current Energy Landscape in Norway
Hydropower Dominance
"The Norwegian power system is not dependent on the system properties of nuclear power, because we have abundant hydropower in Norway," the committee's chair, Kristin Halvorsen, a former finance minister, said when presenting the report.
Hydropower accounted for 89.9% of Norwegian power generation in 2025, followed by wind power with an 8.6% share, according to Statistics Norway.
Regional and European Context
Nordic neighbours Finland and Sweden have built or are planning to build new nuclear reactors, while other European countries too are eyeing nuclear as a means to generate emissions-free power.
Challenges and Recommendations
Profitability and Regulatory Hurdles
While nuclear power would theoretically fit into the Norwegian system, it was not currently profitable and would also require extensive work to prepare the necessary regulatory regime, the committee said.
National Competence Project Proposal
Still, it proposed to establish a national competence project that will keep abreast of technical innovations and allow for a faster introduction of nuclear power should this become relevant in the future.
Future Outlook for Norway's Energy Mix
Rising Demand and Alternative Solutions
While Norway currently has a power surplus, demand is expected to rise amid greater electrification of transport and industry.
For the time being, onshore wind power, upgrades of existing hydropower and offshore wind will be main levers for meeting demand, but nuclear could still have a role to play in the future, Energy Minister Terje Aasland said.
(Reporting by Nora Buli, editing by Terje Solsvik)
