Norway sees shift in energy ownership and rising nuclear support

Recent data from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) indicates a reversal in energy ownership trends. After years of increasing foreign investment, Norwegian ownership in wind power has risen by 18 percentage points over the last two years. This trend of increased domestic ownership also extends to hydropower and solar power.

In the hydropower sector, public ownership reached 90 percent by the end of last year, driven largely by the sale of Orkla’s hydropower holdings to Hafslund AS and Å Energi. Solar power remains predominantly Norwegian-owned at 90 percent, though the sector currently consists of a small number of facilities.

Separately, a report by Opinion shows a significant shift in public sentiment regarding energy sources. Support for nuclear power in Norway has grown from 36 percent in 2022 to 54 percent in 2026, marking the strongest growth among all energy sources surveyed. While nuclear support is rising, solar power remains the most popular option, with 70 percent of respondents favoring increased solar production.