Norway’s water reservoir filling level reached 66.6 percent in week 39, according to data from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).
Municipal Leaders Warn of Production Pressures
Ola Tore Dokken, the Centre Party mayor of Nordre Land in Innlandet, voiced strong concerns during the Dagsrevyen broadcast regarding how much water power companies are utilizing. He described the current operational pace as a risky gamble with the nation’s core electricity production reserves.
Dokken highlighted the Dokkføymagasinet reservoir within his own municipality, where the filling level sits 16 to 17 percent below the seasonal norm. He warned that a dry autumn followed by an early, cold winter could trigger a production crisis reminiscent of 2022, when spot prices approached 5 to 6 Norwegian kroner per kilowatt-hour.
Power companies defend their current operational choices. Hans-Christian Udnæs, head of hydro-power operations at Hafslund—Norway’s second-largest power producer—stated that lower levels in certain reservoirs are natural and that water is not being drawn down for profit maximization. Instead, he explained to NRK, the releases are designed to support power generation in vulnerable grid situations.
NVE Maintains Stable Outlook Despite Low Reserves
Despite reservoir levels resting near historically low thresholds, NVE remains calm regarding the immediate security of supply. Inga Nordberg, NVE’s Director of Energy and Concessions, told NRK that the agency is not worried about the power situation as it currently stands. However, she acknowledged that the margins are narrow enough to warrant extra monitoring.
Nordberg confirmed that consumers should prepare for a winter featuring high electricity prices, particularly across Southern and Eastern Norway, if reservoir levels fail to recover before the coldest months arrive.
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