Alpha Electro G2 electric plane. Source: Avinor
Despite being among the top ten largest crude and refined oil exporters and ranked as the 3rd natural gas exporter (just above Canada), Norway’s electricity1 is generated almost completely (96%) from hydropower. This is great news considering Avinor’s2 plans to electrify local flights by 2040!
Their ambition in the next 20 years is for 100% of short-haul flights under 1.5 hours (including those to neighbouring Scandinavian capitals) to be operated with pure battery electric airplanes. Besides GHG emissions reduction, additional benefits include lower operating costs and noise pollution reductions. The country’s network of nearby airports, few passengers, and strong political will, provide an advantage for the introduction of this technology.
This pledge adds to the efforts by the Norwegian government to cut emissions from the aviation industry. In August last year, Avinor announced their plans to reduce 30% of their GHG emissions by replacing today’s fossil-based fuel with sustainable biofuels (obtained from forestry waste and pulpwood).
These are part of the measures adopted by the Norwegian government to address its GHG emissions and achieve their plans of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
1 Report on Norway’s energy policies 2017
2 Avinor: the Norwegian airport operator is responsible for the 45 state-owned airports and air navigation services for civilian and military aviation in Norway.