One year after the white paper on industry: Growth in an uncertain time

• Norwegian industrial production increased by approximately 3.9 percent from 2024 to 2025. Overall developments indicate strong growth, although there are differences between industries.[1]
• Despite geopolitical instability, Norway exported goods and services excluding oil and gas worth NOK 1 400 billion, making 2025 the year with the highest exports excluding oil and gas in history. Export volume growth excluding oil and gas was approximately 4 percent over the past year. This means that Norwegian exporting companies have increased sales volumes in international markets. [2]
• Aggregate wage growth in industry in NHO-affiliated companies from 2024 to 2025 is provisionally estimated at 5.1 percent.[3]
• Investment levels in industry declined by just under 2 percent compared to 2024. Investment levels have remained relatively high in recent years following a downturn in 2020 and 2021. Overall assessments of expectations for investment levels in 2026 indicate unchanged development.[4]
• Industrial companies expect higher activity towards the summer, both in industries serving the domestic market and in export-oriented industries. For the first time since early 2021, growth prospects for the domestic market are stronger than for export markets.[5]

[1] Auke i industriproduksjonen i 2025 – SSB

[2] Eksportmeldingen 2026 | Menon Economics

[3] Grunnlaget for inntektsoppgjørene 2026, foreløpig rapport - regjeringen.no

[4] Konjunkturrapporten

[5] Norges Bank – Regionalt nettverk 1/2026

The white paper on industrial policy presented an updated overview of challenges and opportunities across the entire industrial sector in Norway, along with measures targeting the framework conditions most important for industry as a whole. The white paper outlined six industrial policy priorities, and several measures have been implemented under each priority:

1. The industry shall have access to clean and affordable power
   Norway had a historically high power surplus of around 23 TWh in 2025, and although the current surplus is expected to decline, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) expects a continued positive power balance in the years ahead. NVE also reports increased activity in the processing of licensing applications. Statistics Norway (SSB) figures for 2025 show increased investment in power supply compared with 2024, and the latest estimates for 2026 indicate that investments may reach a record level this year.

• The government has awarded three offshore wind project areas, which could contribute significant amounts of new renewable energy to the power system.
• The government has circulated for public consultation proposed amendments to the Energy Act allowing for prioritized grid connection when necessary for national security interests. It is expected that the legislative proposal may be considered by the Storting before the summer.
• The government presented an action plan for faster grid development and better utilization of the electricity grid in spring 2023. The action plan has largely been followed up, and new measures to further accelerate grid development are continuously being considered.

2. The industry shall have access to competent workforce and a well-organized work life
   In the year ahead, Norway will face labour shortages, while demand for certain occupations and educational backgrounds will increase. This requires better alignment between the skills Norway needs and what is offered through education. Among other factors, lack of time and financial obligations prevent many people from participating in competence development.

• The government is developing a skills budget as a tool to ensure coherence between labour market needs and education provision. The skills budget will provide clear direction for the overall supply at vocational colleges, universities, and university colleges.
• The government has initiated a pilot project for a skills reform in industry, whereby, together with the leading sector in wage negotiations, the costs of employees participating in training courses are covered.
• The government has extended the sectoral skills programs for industry and construction (2025-2027). Invitations have also been sent to the main labour market organizations to nominate two new sector programs starting in 2027.

3. The industry shall be innovative and develop and utilize new technology
   Based on the overview of key innovation indicators from the European Commission, known as the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), Norway was ranked 9^th in 2025 compared with the EU27 and European neighbouring countries.

• The government has increased funding for research in artificial intelligence and digital technologies by at least NOK 1 billion over the five-year period 2025-2029. Six national research centres for artificial intelligence were selected and launched in 2025. These centres will strengthen and complement the Research Council of Norway’s existing AI portfolio. They will research how AI affects society, develop technology, and strengthen innovation and value creation in both the private and public sector.
• The government has initiated work on a national strategy for quantum technology, to be presented before the end of 2026.
• The government has received a strategy for the manufacturing industry, developed by the social partners. The main objective of the strategy is to increase value creation and exports in Norway’s manufacturing industry.

4. The industry shall contribute to the low emission society
   Industry in Norway has been based on renewable hydropower for more than a hundred years and is globally leading in many sectors when it comes to low emissions. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 45 percent since 1990, but industry still represent the second-largest source of emissions in Norway. 40 major point sources account for most of the greenhouse gas emissions from industry and energy supply. Further emission reductions will in many cases require carbon capture and storage or new technology.

• The government has set a target to introduce the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in Norway from 2027.
• The government has initiated work on a rights-based scheme for permanent carbon removal.
• The government has initiated work to expand the ban on fossil-fuel-based indirect heating in industry to also include emissions trading systems (ETS) industries.
• Most of the action plans under the CO2 compensation scheme have been approved by the Norwegian Environmental Agency.
• The government has presented a strategy for the offshore wind supply industry, outlining how Norwegian suppliers can participate in the development of offshore wind on the Norwegian continental shelf, in international markets, and how the government will facilitate this.

5. The industry shall have good market access
   EU/EEA countries are Norway’s most important trading partners and together account for 52 percent of exports of goods and services excluding oil and gas, as well as three-quarters of oil and gas exports. Within Europe, the United Kingdom is a particularly important trading partner and Norway’s largest export market. Outside Europe, Asia is the region receiving the largest share of Norwegian exports at 8 percent, followed by North and Central America at 7 percent. EU/EEA countries are also Norway’s most important partners for imports. Among countries outside Europe, Norway imports the most goods from China, followed by the United States.

• The government has increased political engagement with the EU and EU member states to safeguard the EEA Agreement and ensure Norwegian participation in European initiatives.
• The government signed four new trade agreements in 2025, with Thailand, Kosovo, Malaysia, and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay).
• The government has strengthened business and trade cooperation through strategic partnerships with selected trading partners, including the United Kingdom and Canada.
• The government has continued targeted export promotion efforts in key markets.

6. The industry shall support the government’s security and emergency preparedness policy
   The government is working to implement the objectives in the roadmap for increased production capacity. To enhance competitiveness and production capacity in the Norwegian defence industry, the government provides regulatory and financial support for capacity expansion in Norway. Exports from the Norwegian defence industry have increased significantly, reaching nearly NOK 21 billion in 2025.

• The government has initiated a comprehensive mapping of the role of Norwegian industry in Norwegian and allied strategic and critical supply chains. This mapping will provide a knowledge base for further policy development and strengthened cooperation between industry, authorities, and research institutions.
• The government has begun the process of associating Norway with the EU’s European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).
• The government has mapped vulnerabilities in the supply chains for key Norwegian defencee products.
• The government has supported the production of missiles, advanced military explosives, and missile rocket motors with a total of NOK 450 million.