Business · Energy & Commodities · 7 hrs ago
Norway pauses new data centre power connections pending licensing rules
Norway has paused reservations for power connections to new data centres until it sets up a licensing scheme.
The government says rapid growth in these facilities, driven in part by demand for artificial intelligence, could strain the electricity grid and raise prices.
Norway currently produces more electricity than it uses, but projections show new data centre demand could lead to a shortfall.
In 2026, data centres made up 75% of applications for new power capacity, which totalled 26,000 megawatts.
The planned rules will favour facilities serving defence, emergency services, health care and critical infrastructure.
The government also says new centres should pay grid costs and may have to provide their own power, including through gas plants with carbon capture.
The licensing scheme will determine which projects can proceed and is intended to give the government more control over the industry’s growth.
Norway has temporarily halted reservations for electricity connections for new data centres until a government licensing scheme is in place.
The scheme is intended to give the government more control over data centre growth and prioritize facilities considered necessary.
Norway says data centre demand could contribute to an energy deficit and higher electricity prices in the coming years.
Data centres accounted for 75% of applications for new power capacity received by grid operator Statnett so far in 2026.
The government said new data centres should pay grid-related costs and may be asked to provide their own electricity.
- Who
- Norway’s government and national grid operator Statnett.
- What
- Statnett temporarily halted reservations of electricity connections for new data centres pending a government licensing scheme.
- When
- Nov. 9, 2026.
- Where
- Norway.
- Why
- The government wants more control over data centre growth and to manage pressure on the power grid.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Statnett had received applications for 26,000 megawatts of new capacity, with data centres accounting for 75% of requests.
Statnett temporarily halted reservations for new data centre connections until a government licensing scheme is in place.
- New capacity applications
- 26,000 megawatts received by Statnett so far in 2026
- Data centre share
- 75% of new capacity requests
- Priority uses
- Defence, police, emergency preparedness, health services and critical infrastructure
- Grid costs
- New data centres should pay costs incurred by the grid
2 sources
What people are saying
The purpose is to gain more control over the growth of data centres, and ensure that we get the data centres we actually need