Proposal for amendments for better control with security of electricity supply

The control mechanism will include stricter requirements for hydropower producers in situations where reservoirs are expected to be low. As part of the Ministry’s work, the Ministry has considered measures that will secure that more water is stored in the reservoirs when the water levels are low and that export in these situations may be limited.

‘With the proposed legislation we are establishing better tools to safeguard security of electricity supply for consumers and businesses, ensuring that we have enough water in the hydro power reservoirs and preventing the need for rationing’, said the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland.

The proposed control mechanism consists of the following:

• A new provision in the Water Course Regulation Act stating the producers responsibility to collectively contribute to safeguarding the security of supply.
• A new provision in the Energy Act providing legal basis to formalize the new reporting system for hydropower producers.
• A new provision in the Water Course Regulation Act requiring hydropower producers to establish strategies for safeguarding security of supply.
• Clarification in the Energy regulation that the Energy Authorities can intervene in hydropower reservoir management in extraordinary situations where there may be a shortage of energy.
• Clarification that in situations where there is a real risk of energy shortages, interconnector capacity may be curtailed, thus limiting exports.

The deadline for comments is the 8^th of September 2023. The aim is to have the necessary measures in place before the winter 2023/24.

The hearing is only avaliable in Norwegian: Høring – forslag til endringer i vassdragsreguleringsloven, energiloven og tilhørende forskrifter (styringsmekanisme for forsyningssikkerhet)