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Department for Economic and Administrative Affairs

Director General Bjørn Ståle Haavik

Other political staff

Departments

The Ministry of Energy has 4 departments and a Communication Unit.

Boards of Directors

Petroleum resources

Norway is an important supplier of oil and gas to the global market.

Exploration

Around 47 % of all the remaining resources on the shelf are undiscovered.

Environment and technology

The Norwegian petroleum industry has very high environmental and climate standards compared with those in other countries.

Maps and downloads

Download tables, graphs, illustrations and maps.

Licensing rounds

Licensing rounds entail that Norwegian and foreign oil companies are invited to apply for production licences for defined areas within a given deadline.

The power market and prices

The market price of power, which is determined each day on the Nord Pool Spot power exchange, is a result of supply and demand. Norway is part of a common Nordic power market and is integrated with the power market in Europe.

Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research

The first Research Centers for Environmentally Friendly Energy (FME) were established in 2009. The programme is administered by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and involves support for research centers (consortia) consisting of a host

Utsira Nord

The area Utsira Nord is located outside the coast of Rogaland, and was opened for offshore renewable energy production 12 June 2020. On 19 May 2025, the Ministry announced a competition for project areas for offshore wind in Utsira Nord.

OG21 – Oil and gas in the 21st century

The national technology strategy for the oil- and gas sector OG21 was established in 2001. It is organised by way of a board appointed by the Minister of Petroleum and Energy and a secretariat. OG21 is to enhance value creation on the Norwegian

International cooperation within energy and petroleum research

Participation in international R&D cooperation in the field of energy and petroleum has a high priority and is an important supplement to Norwegian national research. Norway participates primarily in co-operation activities within the EU, through

Energi21 – National strategy for research and development of new energy technology

Energi21 is the Norwegian strategy for research, development and commercialisation of new climate friendly energy technologies. Established in 2008 it focuses on enhanced value creation and efficient use of resources in the sector by putting efforts

Offshore wind - time line

In June 2020, the Solberg government opened two offshore areas for renewable energy production; Utsira Nord and Sørlige Nordsjø II in June 2021, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy undertook a public consultation allowing for comment on the

Organisation

The principal responsibility of the Ministry of Energy is to achieve a coordinated and integrated energy policy. A primary objective is to ensure high value creation through efficient and environment-friendly management of Norway’s energy resources.

Wholly-owned companies

The Ministry of Energy administers the state's ownership of the companies Gassco, Statnett and Gassnova.

Power supply and the electricity grid

A secure and reliable power supply is essential in any modern society. Norway has an extensive electricity grid for the transmission of power from producers to consumers.