Brazil vs. Norway: How did the European country transform its energy matrix into one of the most renewable in the world?

After defeating Japan, Brazil faces Norway this Sunday in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, but the rivalry between the two countries can also be observed off the field.

Internationally recognized as one of the world's leading examples of renewable electricity, Norway has built an electrical system based almost entirely on renewable sources over decades.

In 2025, the country recorded a record production of 161 TWh of electricity and ended the year with a historic surplus of 23 TWh, consolidating its position as one of the cleanest and most resilient electricity systems in the world.

Water power

Hydropower remains the backbone of Norway's electricity matrix. The country has approximately 1.791 hydroelectric plants in operation, responsible for about 88% of its installed electricity generation capacity.

More than just producing energy, these power plants play a strategic role in the stability of the system. Thanks to their high water storage capacity, Norway can quickly adjust its production according to demand.

This is because the country has more than 1.100 hydroelectric reservoirs, capable of storing approximately 87 TWh of potential energy in the form of water.

In practice, this means that the country can conserve water during periods of high renewable energy production in continental Europe and increase generation when there is an additional need for energy.

This flexibility has become even more important with the growth of solar and wind power sources in Europe, whose generation exhibits greater variability.

Strong winds and international integration

Although hydroelectricity remains dominant in the country, wind power is increasingly expanding its share in the Norwegian electricity mix.

Currently, the country has around 65 wind farms, totaling 5 GW of installed capacity and an annual generation of approximately 16 TWh, consolidating wind power as Norway's second main source of electricity.

Another distinctive feature of the Norwegian electrical system is its high level of international integration. The country has 17 electrical interconnections with other European markets, including submarine cables that connect Norway to Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

These connections allow for the export of electricity when there is surplus generation and the import of energy when it is economically or strategically advantageous to preserve hydroelectric reservoirs.

Next challenge: growing without compromising energy security.

Despite the impressive results, the Norwegian electricity sector faces new challenges. The expansion of data centers and the increasing electrification of transport and industry are expected to boost electricity demand in the coming years.

Given this scenario, Norway is seeking to expand its generation and transmission capacity without compromising security of supply. In this context, solar energy is gaining ground as a complementary alternative to hydroelectric generation.

According to data from the NVE (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate), Norway's installed solar capacity already exceeds 700 MW, driven mainly by residential, commercial, and industrial systems.

The growth of local photovoltaic energy is occurring even in a country known for its long winters and lower solar energy incidence compared to markets like Brazil.

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