Sustainable energy in norway Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sustainable energy in norway - Essay Example Renewable energy forms the basis of sustainable energy which is only trying to meet the energy requirements of the present generation without affecting how future generations will get their energy. In order to embrace sustainable energy, countries should move away from fossil fuels and start developing renewable energy sources. Norway is one country that has been pushing for setting up of renewable energy centers worldwide. Among the renewable energy sources, hydropower contributes the largest percentage of energy. Hydroelectric power provides approximately one- fifth of the total energy consumed in the world (Gonzalez, Aygun & Weidmann, 1). Hydropower will play a crucial role in the sustainable energy development. Norway produces approximately 99% of its electricity from hydropower. This is aided by the abundance of water reservoirs in the country. Norway is endowed with many rivers and the geographical shape of the state favors the production of hydroelectric power. Norway is considered the sixth largest hydroelectric power producer in the world (Gonzalez, 12). Norway is concerned with developing efficient and friendlier ways of harnessing hydroelectric power. . The generational plants are owned by government, local authorities and the private sector. In dry spells the production of hydropower goes down and during rain seasons, Norway is able to export energy produced to other countries. Norway expor ts power to different countries among them Russia, Finland and Sweden. According to Gonzalez et al (2011), renewable energy contributed approximately 13% of the total energy consumed in 2008. Hydropower had a significant contribution. Wind and solar offered a minimal contribution to the total energy supplied. This shows that renewable energy contributed a tiny percentage to the total energy consumed in the world (Gonzalez et al, 4). In the subsequent years, the development of these sources has led to the increase in the percentage of energy