Norway halts electricity for new data centers

Norway's state grid operator Statnett is temporarily stopping new reservations of grid capacity, a move that hits the country's growing data center industry. NRK reports that the halt will last until 1 August 2027 at the latest. Statnett says in a press release that the measures are necessary to ensure safe operation of the electricity grid.

The stop comes as the Norwegian government moves to tighten control over data centers. It is working on a new permit system for them, and the main principles are expected to be presented next autumn. The government also wants data centers to produce more of their own electricity.

The background is a sharp rise in electricity consumption in Norway. Data centers have accounted for about half of the grid capacity that has been reserved for new projects, which is why they are the focus of the pause.

The decision has drawn criticism from the tech industry. Øystein Eriksen Søreide, chief executive of the business organisation Abelia, told NRK that Norway must be a country to reckon with. He warned that the measures could damage Norway's reputation as a safe country to invest in.

For the Nordic data center market, the pause means that operators planning new facilities in Norway cannot secure new grid capacity for now. It also signals that stricter rules, including self-generation of power, are likely to shape future projects once the permit system is in place.