The Changing Pattern of Norwegian Hydroelectric Development

Abstract

I T seems surprising that Norway should see fit to construct a power station harnessing nuclear energy when it has the world's largest production of hydroelectricity per capita of population, and a utilization of its water power resources amounting to only 37.5 per cent of the total-4.3 million kw. out of 12.3 million (although 16 million has been given as the total).' It is, of course, a far-sighted project, for the time will come when Norway's requirement of electricity will outstrip the possible production within reach of the more heavily populated and industrialized areas. Research work and experience in nuclear power station operation are required as much in Norway as they are anywhere else. At the same time, the utilization of the available resources of hydroelectricity is increasing in momentum. During the 1930-1940 period development was at a rate of 40,000 kw. per year. The war years saw an increase to 60,000 kw. per year, but this is small compared to the post-war rates of 140,000 kw. per year in the 1945-1950 period2 and 258,000 kw. per year in the 1950-1955 period. The cause is the increasing industrial activity and the expansion of the electrification of the railway system, but most Qf all the greater use of electricity and electric appliances in Norwegian homes, some 96 per cent of which now have an electricity supply.3 The effect has been a change in the type of producer of hydroelectricity, in the method of supplying the power to the consumer, in fact, in the whole geography of power in Norway. Because the nation depends on hydroelectricity for its industrial power, and so for much of its wealth, it is of value to note this change while it is actually in progress and to visualize the eventual results. An account must, however, be primarily qualitative because the change is still in progress. The quantities concerned are subject to frequent alterations which make general statistics speedily out-of-date. The larger part of this article is, therefore, concerned with showing the shape of the change through the use of detailed examples, made possible by a temporary diminution of the processes of change in a limited region. The southern part of Norway forms an area which is well-nigh unsurpassable as the perfect field for hydroelectric power production. It consists mainly of a plateau at a height of 3000 to 4000 feet above sea level. This has an undulating surface which is ideal for the storage of water in lakes and peat 1 Industries of Norway, 0. J. Adamsom, edit., Oslo, 1952. 2 From Industries of Norway. I Norges Vassdragsog Elektrisitetsvesen, Arsberetning, 1954-1955, p. 7.