Electrical Equipment / Components & Telecoms

Reservoir levels in southern Norway are very low this year due to dry weather. The Norwegian government has asked residents of the capital Oslo to shorten showers and turn off taps when brushing their teeth. Norwegian officials said authorities would prioritise water storage before generating electricity to supply other countries, and warned that power cuts could not be ruled out next spring.

According to reports, Norwegian Petroleum and Energy Minister Terje Osland told parliament on the 8th that when water levels are below seasonal stocks, increasing reservoir storage will take priority over power generation.

The report pointed out that it is speculated that the move will affect European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany that rely on Norway's cheap hydropower supply, while about 5% of the UK's electricity is also imported from Norway. Osland said that local electricity production in the south has fallen by 18% from last year, and production in the southwest fell to its lowest level this year last week.

Osland admitted that the local electricity price may rise to a record high, and the authorities cannot rule out the possibility of power cuts next spring. He pointed out that there will be no power rationing for the public this winter, but power rationing may begin in April to May next year, and businesses will be the first to be affected.