Norway could become fully electrified by 2050: report

Source: Xinhua| 2017-08-14 20:19:33|Editor: Liangyu
Video PlayerClose

OSLO, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- An electric power industry organization believes Norway has an opportunity to become the first fully electrified society in the world by 2050, public broadcaster NRK reported Monday.

Energy Norway, a non-profit organization representing about 270 companies involved in the production, distribution and trading of electricity in the country, is to meet Minister of Climate and Environment Vidar Helgesen on Monday and deliver 24 concrete policy proposals for green growth.

"Climate change and lost jobs in the oil sector are two of Norway's biggest challenges today. We believe that the renewable energy industry has a great potential to contribute to both of these areas," said Oluf Ulseth, director of Energy Norway.

"Our goal is that Norway, based on hydro power and better interaction between industry and authorities, shall become the world's first fully electrified society by 2050. In this way, we can take a stronger leadership role in climate change, as our competitiveness strengthens," he said.

In Norway, 96 percent of electricity production comes from hydropower. In addition, Norway has a well-developed energy system, high electrification rate in the household sector and the world's highest electric vehicle density.

This, according to Ulseth, provides "a unique starting point for electrifying other sectors of society and thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions."

However, it will require considerable efforts, especially in the transport sector and oil and gas industry.

According to the report, electricity is, along with biofuels, the key to making the transport sector emission-free, whether it concerns storage in batteries or in the form of hydrogen.

The full electrification of society is not only good for the climate, but also for the development of new industry and new technology jobs, NRK reported.

"We believe that value creation in the renewable energy industry can be doubled by 2050," Ulseth said.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001365256081