BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH SDG 7

Norway is a renewable-energy pioneer, particularly in hydropower and the electrification of society. Thanks to its abundant rivers, reservoirs and mountainous geography, approximately 98% of Norwegian electricity production comes from hydropower and wind power. Hydropower is overwhelmingly dominant: in 2025, it generated about 145.5 TWh out of 161.8 TWh of total electricity production, giving Norway one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world (European Environment Agency, 2025; Statistics Norway, n.d.). 

Norway has also used its abundant renewable electricity to achieve a very high degree of electrification in households, heating and increasingly transport and industry. However, Norway presents a striking green-energy paradox: while its domestic electricity system is almost entirely renewable, the country remains a major global producer and exporter of oil and natural gas. This combination makes Norway particularly relevant to SDG 7 debates about whether fossil-fuel-producing economies can simultaneously lead the transition towards clean energy (International Energy Agency [IEA], n.d.).

CURRENT CHALLENGES AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS 

Norway’s principal challenge is reconciling its position as a renewable-energy leader with its continuing petroleum industry. In 2025, Norway was the world’s fourth-largest natural-gas exporter, and its gas exports were equivalent to more than 30% of combined gas consumption in the European Union and United Kingdom. Oil and gas also represented 57% of the value of Norwegian goods exports, demonstrating their continuing importance to the national economy (Norwegian Offshore Directorate, n.d.).

At the same time, electricity demand is expected to increase as Norway further electrifies transport, industry and offshore activities. Maintaining its renewable leadership will therefore require additional renewable generation, stronger grids and careful management of hydropower resources, while addressing environmental concerns surrounding new energy infrastructure. Norway consequently represents an important SDG 7 model of near-zero-carbon electricity and advanced electrification, combined with the unresolved challenge of economic dependence on fossil-fuel exports (IEA, n.d.; Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, 2026). 

LIST OF REFERENCES 

European Environment Agency. (2025, September 29). Share of Renewable Energy in Final Energy Consumption: Norway. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/europe-environment-2025/countries/norway/renewable-energy-sources

International Energy Agency. (n.d.). Norway. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://www.iea.org/countries/norway

Norwegian Offshore Directorate. (n.d.). Exports of Norwegian Oil and Gas. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://www.norskpetroleum.no/en/production-and-exports/exports-of-oil-and-gas/

Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate. (2026, October 24). Power Production (Kraftproduksjon). Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://www.nve.no/energi/energisystem/kraftproduksjon/

Statistics Norway. (n.d.). Statistics on Electricity. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://www.ssb.no/en/energi-og-industri/energi/statistikk/elektrisitet