Plugged In: the energy news podcast Norway's looming "supply squeeze"
Feb 5, 2026
Jørn Skaane, CEO of Lefdal Mine Datacenter, explains data centre power needs and grid connection hurdles. Erik Strømsø, CEO of BW ESS, outlines where storage can pay off across the Nordics and Europe. Lars Ove Skorpen, Pareto Securities director, analyzes subsidies, supply outlook and investment signals. They debate grid queues, distorted price signals, and how faster connections and clearer priorities could unlock projects.
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Data Centres Drive Most Capacity Requests
- Data centres are the single largest category requesting grid capacity in Norway right now.
- Political attitudes vary, welcoming some types of data centres but opposing speculative crypto mining.
Speed Up Grid Connections Now
- TSOs and DSOs must speed up grid builds and connections to meet investor demand for data centres.
- Prioritise grid investment and faster connection processes to unlock committed private capital.
Subsidies Hide Market Signals
- Norway's price signals are muted by household subsidies, hiding problems that would spur storage and renewables elsewhere.
- Distorted signals mean less pressure to fix negative prices, imbalance issues and to deploy storage solutions.