Rogaland needs 7-13 TWh of power to become a low-emission society with new industry

Rogaland consumes about 24 TWh of energy today, half of which is fossil-based. To decarbonize, fossil energy must be replaced with emission-free energy. Commissioned by Rogaland fylkeskommune, THEMA has analysed the future development of Rogaland’s energy system and identified potential conflict areas in the energy transition.

Today, Rogaland consumes about 24 TWh of energy, with half of it being electricity consumption. The county has a robust electricity surplus, in addition to a unique gas distribution infrastructure in a Norwegian context.

To analyze how Rogaland’s energy system might develop in the future, THEMA has conducted a scenario analysis with three different scenarios:

  • Full electrification: Everything that can be electrified is electrified.
  • Blue hydrogen: Replace fossil energy with blue hydrogen wherever possible.
  • Energy efficiency: Major investment in energy efficiency and other energy carriers like biogas.

In the blue hydrogen and energy efficiency scenarios, Rogaland needs at least 7 TWh more power to decarbonize and facilitate new industry, in addition to the need for blue hydrogen and biogas, respectively. In a full electrification scenario, the additional power demand increases to 13 TWh, which is more than double the current power consumption.

Most of the increased power demand is due to the establishment of new industries. In addition, switching from fossil sources in existing sectors will require 1.4-2.6 TWh of power (this is excluding the needs of Kårstø).

bilde artikkel rogaland

There are no scenarios without conflicts, and there is also not a single technology with sufficient production potential and simultaneously low conflict potential. Land use and the use of public funds are the main areas of conflict.

Measures that Rogaland fylkeskommune can implement include ensuring cooperation across municipalities, providing support for biogas, and mapping gray areas that may be suitable for power production.

Read the entire report at Rogaland fylkeskommune’s website here.

 

 

 

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