Statnett halts new large power projects in northern Norway

Statnett has imposed a temporary halt on reservations for grid capacity for new power consumption exceeding 5 MW north of Svartisen. The decision aims to secure electricity supply in the region amid rising demand and limited capacity. The grid operator issued the directive on Friday, citing concerns over insufficient transmission capacity to meet future needs. Existing projects with approved reservations are not affected, but new applications will be rejected until further notice. The restriction covers nearly all of northern Norway, stretching from Nordland to Finnmark. Statnett’s move follows warnings from energy authorities about a potential supply crunch in the coming years as industrial expansion accelerates. Industry representatives have expressed concern over the impact on planned investments. One local energy company spokesperson said the pause could delay projects already in early stages, though no specific timeline has been set for lifting the restrictions. Statnett operates Norway’s transmission grid and is responsible for balancing supply and demand. The company will reassess the situation by the end of the year and may adjust the policy based on grid upgrades and demand forecasts. Source: tu.no