Energy Minister Receives Norwegian Nuclear Commission Report

Press release
| Date: 08/04/2026 | Ministry of Energy

• Les på norsk Minister of Energy Terje Aasland today received the report by the Norwegian Nuclear Commission. The report addresses nuclear power as a possible energy source in Norway.

Utvalgsleder Kristin Halvorsen og energiminister Terje Aasland deltok på pressekonferansen
Credit: Energidepartementet

– The Nuclear Commission has done thorough work, and this report provides a good basis for a knowledge- and fact-based discussion about nuclear power. For the Labour Party government, it is important that we have a safe and good process, with a broad and thorough debate, and we are now sending the report for public consultation, said minister Aasland.

Nuclear power in Norway was last examined by a public committee in 1978.

The need for emission-free and stable energy sources that can help manage the natural and climate crisis and meet an increasing need for power has contributed to raising the question of nuclear power in Norway, as have the technological development and plans to establish nuclear power production from private players in cooperation with municipalities.

The Nuclear Commission was appointed in June 2024, with Kristin Halvorsen as chair. The committee was tasked with examining several key issues, including whether nuclear power is suitable for the Norwegian power system, the status of research and technology development, costs and other significant consequences for governments and private actors, land and environmental impacts, waste issues, nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation, preparedness and competence needs.

– The need for an updated knowledge base about nuclear power was an important reason for the appointment of the Nuclear Commission. The committee has now submitted a comprehensive and thorough report. I look forward to studying the recommendations from the committee and the responses to the consultation, says Aasland.

The report from the Nuclear Commission is available in Norwegian here with a summary in English: NOU 2026: 4 - regjeringen.no

There is increasing interest in nuclear power in Norway, with private stakeholders planning to establish nuclear power plants in several places in Norway. A total of 10 notifications with proposals for an exploratory program for the establishment of nuclear power in Norway, including a plant in Svalbard. In February 2026, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Ministry of Climate and Environment established environmental impact assessment program for the plans for a nuclear power plant in Taftøy Næringspark in the municipalities of Aure and Heim.

The government has stated that it will await the assessments from the Nuclear Commission before taking a position on the processing of the other notifications.

The report from the Nuclear Commission will now be sent for consultation, with a deadline of October 8. After that, the government will consider the further process. The government will involve the Storting in an appropriate manner.

Ministry of Energy

Topic

• Electricity
• Energy

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