Lower power consumption and receding power and commodity prices in 2009

The financial crisis resulted in lower economic activity throughout 2009, which again resulted in lower power consumption and falling power and commodity prices.

The political framework for investments in renewable energy has experienced a positive development in both Norway and the EU, and this development seems to be lasting. Investments in new power production in Europe are dominated by investments in renewable energy, with wind power contributing to most of the increase in 2009. The focus on the fact that new transmission capacity, both nationally and between the European countries, is a key precondition for a positive development in the European energy system, has grown.