Norwegian transmission system operator Statnett has changed its assessment of the winter power situation to green (normal) from yellow (tight) owing to sufficient power supply in Norway and available imports from neighbouring countries.
Power rationing in Norway is no longer necessary, Statnett said, as high rainfall, low power demand and adequate imports have reduced the possibility of power outages, while lower hydro generation has also supported recovery of reservoir stocks.
Norwegian hydro reservoir stocks rose to 70.28TWh in week 46 of this year, although down slightly from the yearly high of 71.54TWh recorded in the previous week (see chart). And stocks in southern Norway — in the NO1 bidding zone — have increased sharply to 5.22TWh from 4.12TWh in week 38, when Statnett had started assessing the power situation through its SAKS measures.
"The government has been working to improve our security of supply since before the summer," the Norwegian government said today. "The measures we put in place have had an effect. The inflows have been saved…and we have larger reserves as we now enter the winter."
Rainfall in Bergen, southern Norway, over 1-24 November has remained strong from the previous month at an average of 7.52 mm/d, slightly down from 9.83 mm/d in October, with average precipitation in December forecast at 5.63 mm/d.
Norwegian net power exports to Sweden reduced significantly in September to just 2MW from about 824MW in August, and Norway would later switch to a net importer of Swedish power in October at 149MW. Norway has since switched back to a net exporter so far this month at 1.26GW.
Power demand in Norway has averaged 15.74GW so far in November, down by about 1.48GW on the year but a sharp rise from demand levels in October, which were recorded at 14.13GW owing to an increase for heating during colder temperatures.
Statnett is expected to still continue its assessment of its winter power supply as well as report hydro stock levels from power producers.
