Authorities respond to a serious threat. "We need to have enough electricity"

Norway is introducing a concession system for data centers to manage energy consumption and prioritize societal benefits. The new regulations will take effect by autumn 2027. Statnett has halted new power allocations to data centers due to rising electricity demands threatening grid stability. Existing centers and those with final connection decisions are exempt. Data centers' power consumption has quadrupled in four years, consuming 3.3 TWh in 2025, equivalent to over 200,000 households. The government aims to prioritize defense and critical infrastructure needs, excluding cryptocurrency centers from being deemed socially beneficial. Currently, 800 MW are connected, with an additional 4,200 MW reserved and 9,100 MW awaiting permits.