NORWAY NEEDS BETTER COASTAL GRIDS FOR GREEN AQUACULTURE

Norway needs better coastal grids for green aquaculture. A new national report from Menon Economics concludes that Norway’s coastal power grid is rapidly becoming the biggest barrier to technological development, electrification and long-term sustainability in the country’s seafood sector.

The report shows that without a major upgrade of the grid along Norway’s coastline, the industry will be unable to deploy the next generation of low-emission farming systems, including closed and semi-closed cages, submersible installations and offshore aquaculture technologies.

Electricity demand from Norwegian aquaculture and seafood processing could increase by up to 140 percent by 2040. Yet many coastal regions already report that the grid is fully utilised, with waiting lists for even modest connection requests.

“The Grid Is Not Built for This Level of Growth”

Oddbjørn Grønvik, Senior Manager at Menon Economics and project lead for the report, describes the situation as systemic:

“Norway’s coastal power grids are not built for the level of growth and technological shift we are seeing in the seafood sector. In several of the most important seafood regions, there is simply no remaining grid capacity to absorb new projects.”

The report identifies major structural challenges: the distance between coastal farming sites and high-voltage transmission lines; limited capacity in both regional and transmission networks; cumulative load created by many small connection points; and very long lead times for new infrastructure.

Key Technologies Depend on Electricity

For the seafood industry, this means that technologies expected to improve climate performance, fish welfare and biosafety cannot be implemented at the necessary pace.

Closed and semi-closed systems, submersible cages and offshore aquaculture all require significantly more electricity than traditional open-net pens—and their introduction depends entirely on adequate grid capacity.

Industry Warnings Confirmed

The Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF), which commissioned the study, has received repeated warnings from companies about the grid constraint. According to FHF, actors across the value chain—fish farms, processing plants, cold storage, maritime operations and logistics—now face real physical limitations.

Øyvind Hilmarsen, Head of R&D Funding at FHF, emphasises the urgency:

“The seafood industry has repeatedly warned that lack of grid capacity is stopping new projects. This report confirms that the seafood sector cannot transition or grow without significant upgrades to coastal power infrastructure.”

He adds that bottlenecks are delaying electrification initiatives, inhibiting planned expansions, and slowing the adoption of new technologies that would reduce emissions and strengthen food security.

European Implications

The consequences extend far beyond Norway. As Europe’s largest supplier of seafood, Norway plays a crucial role in the continent’s food security and climate strategy.

The technologies currently held back by weak grid infrastructure—closed systems, submersible cages and offshore farming—are central to Europe’s ambitions for:

• reduced environmental impact
• resilient marine food production
• better fish health and biosafety
• adaptation to warming oceans
• sustainable protein supply

A failure to modernise coastal grids therefore risks slowing Europe’s broader green transition in food production.

A Clear Need for Infrastructure Renewal

Today, the sector uses around 1,000 MW of electricity. By 2040, demand is projected to reach 1,500–2,350 MW—equivalent to the combined capacity of Norway’s interconnectors to Germany and the United Kingdom.

But development timelines for new grid capacity are long:
7–15 years for regional grids, and 10–20 years for transmission lines.

As Grønvik concludes:

“We are facing a grid system that cannot support the technological shift the industry is ready to make.”

Hilmarsen is equally clear:

“Without more capacity, electrification and innovation will stall. Grid upgrades are essential for the future of sustainable seafood.”

FACT BOX: Power Needs in Norway’s Seafood Sector

Current consumption
• ~1,000 MW (988 MW documented)

Projected demand in 2040
• Low scenario: ~1,500 MW
• High scenario: up to 2,350 MW

Comparable capacity
• 2,350 MW = the capacity of both NordLink (Norway–Germany) + North Sea Link (Norway–UK) combined

Key challenges
• Long distance between coastal sites and high-voltage grid
• Limited grid capacity in both regional and transmission networks
• Many small connection points create a large cumulative load
• Long lead times: 7–20 years depending on grid level

Most capacity-constrained regions
• Northern Norway
• Sunnmøre
• Bergen region / Haugalandet

Technologies requiring more power
• Closed and semi-closed farming systems
• Submersible cages
• Offshore aquaculture installations
• Electrified maritime operations

Image: New closed and semi-closed systems, as well as submersible and offshore cages, are now being phased in. These technologies will require significantly more power and grid capacity in the years ahead. Marit Rein/ FHF