Statnett halts new grid reservations for data centres, and the Government plans a licensing regime

What has happened? On 9 November 2026, the Government and Statnett issued coordinated press releases regarding measures affecting the data centre industry in Norway. Statnett announced a temporary suspension of new capacity reservations for data centres, as well as a temporary suspension of the processing of applications for approval of facility functionality in accordance with Section 14 of the Regulations on System Responsibility in the Power System (FOS). For its part, the Government announced that it would investigate, seek to implement and implement a number of measures to ensure the controlled growth of data centres that serve the public interest in Norway, including regulatory changes that allow Statnett to set conditions for the safe connection to the grid and the introduction of a licensing scheme for data centres.

Does this affect you? If your project has neither reserved grid capacity nor approved functional requirements from Statnett, you should expect the grid connection process to be on hold until summer 2027, and possibly longer. Projects with reserved capacity are in a better position, but may also come to a standstill if system-technical approval in accordance with Section 14 of the FOS is lacking. Existing connections are not affected, and facilities with approved functional requirements can be connected.

What do we know about the way forward? Statnett’s suspension is a risk-mitigation measure being introduced 
pending the necessary knowledge base to develop future requirements. Statnett expects the suspension to be lifted by 1 August 2027 at the latest. They have also announced that the suspension of the processing of Section 14 of the FOS approvals will remain in force until Statnett has developed and established the necessary functional requirements for data centre facilities and these have been approved by the RME following a consultation round. The suspension does not apply to applications already received for Section 14 approvals of facilities with a planned commissioning date in the near future that are to be connected to the regional grid, and Statnett will consider processing individual applications relating to smaller facilities with a planned connection during the period up to 1 August 2027.

For the record, any capacity that becomes available will not be allocated to other customers whilst the suspension remains in force, if this would disadvantage data centres that are ahead in the queue.

The Government has not set a timetable for its work on the announced measures, other than stating that it aims to present the main principles for a licensing scheme in the autumn. However, it has already indicated that requirements and conditions which underpin digital security and contingency planning, as well as contributing to the necessary AI computing power in Norway, the Nordic region and Europe, will be taken into account; that data centres engaged in cryptocurrency operations will not be regarded as serving the public interest; and that they will ensure robust transitional arrangements that provide predictability for the existing and future data centre industry in Norway.

Furthermore, the Government emphasises that it intends to prioritise socially critical consumption, modernise the connection obligation, ensure that large new power consumption contributes more towards covering the costs of new grid expansion and costs incurred in system operation, explore how the data centre industry can, on a commercial basis, help to expand the necessary power generation to enable larger data centre facilities to be built more quickly – including gas-fired power stations with carbon capture and storage, and offshore wind – and examine various models for state ownership in specific data centre projects that serve the public interest.

What should you do now? We recommend that the first thing you do is to gain an overview of the status of ongoing projects and how they are affected:

• Is the project connected to the grid, has a reservation been granted or is it on the reservation waiting list, or has only an enquiry or question regarding grid connection been submitted?
• Is approval under Section 14 of the FOS required for the project, and if so, has this been granted or applied for, and how imminent is commissioning?
• If the project concerns a smaller facility with a planned connection before 1 August 2027, might Statnett consider processing the application for approval under Section 14 of the FOS?
• Are there any deadlines or conditions relating to grid connection, land, lease, construction, financing or customer agreements that need to be followed up or renegotiated?
• Can it be demonstrated that the project will be of benefit to society, based on the Government’s guidance on this matter?

In addition, expected delays, as well as the possibility of increased connection costs and new technical requirements, should be factored into relevant calculations and project plans. To ensure the best possible overview and scope for influence, we also recommend that you follow the announced consultations and consider whether to submit consultation responses with input on the Government’s or Statnett’s proposals.

Please feel free to contact us for a review of your projects.