Overview

Norway has considerable focus on developing forward-looking technology environments to secure energy control and digital trust. Strategic technologies can largely be divided into three ecosystems: energy sovereignty, digital and AI leadership, and maritime, space, and resource innovation. Private companies spearhead many software developments in the offshore energy, renewables, and maritime sectors, where digital applications are needed. There are also many developments to bring change in the health, security, and environment sectors.  Much of this technology is sourced directly or indirectly from the United States.  Selling to Norwegian companies in these critical sectors require close collaboration with end users but also teaming up with service partners.  

Energy Sovereignty

As indicated in the offshore energy overview provided above, Norway and its Nordic neighbors are considered leaders in the use of renewable energy, energy transition technologies, and sustainable resource handling. Norway has accepted, matched, or exceeded international commitments to reduce emissions (including from carbon dioxide, sulfur, and NOX). Emissions of carbon dioxide has proven to be a challenge, given Norway’s role as a significant exporter of oil and gas, as the production itself is carbon intensive. The rest of society is already running mostly on clean hydropower, so there are few low-hanging fruits for steep reductions. The exception is the transportation sector, where Norway has taken a considerable lead with electrification. 

Carbon capture and storage (CCS): Norway considers CCS a high priority and has played an important role in the development of CCUS technologies. In close collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, Norway has funded a range of carbon capture technologies at Test Center Mongstad (TSM), and concepts are now ripe for scaling globally. Norway has also funded a carbon storage reservoir under the seabed in the North Sea, with connected infrastructure on the coast, a concept called “Longship”. Northern Lights is the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage facility.  In August 2025, the first CO2 volumes were injected and successfully stored in the reservoir. A cement factory (Heidelberg, Heroya) was among the first capture sites, and others will follow.  In March 2025, the owners of Northen Lights announced plans to increase the total injection capacity from 1.5 to a minimum of 5 million tons of CO2 per year. CCS will play a major role in the Norwegian climate solution. Business models need to mature, which may be an opportunity for U.S. technologies and concepts with proven ROI. 

Hydropower

Norway has considerable hydro resources and has over the past 100 years constructed more than 330 dams.  A baseload of zero emission electric power creates good conditions for maintaining zero carbon emission in the entire value chain, including hydrogen, ammonia, and production of batteries and metals as well as various modes of transportation. However, upgrades are needed.

Alternative Fuels and Energy Storage

Norway has positioned itself as a key European producer of blue and green hydrogen to achieve its 2050 net-zero goals.  A number of companies have entered the hydrogen business. While the potential has been considered high, the industry is experiencing a slowdown due to high electricity prices (making electrolysis expensive) and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Some projects were delayed or canceled in 2025 as players pivoted to other sectors. Norway’s strategy has focused on decarbonizing maritime transport and industry, and Norway has aimed to be a leader in hydrogen-powered maritime transport and heavy-duty transport. Some speculate that ammonia may become the clean fuel of choice by ship owners for deep sea shipping, while others focus on advanced biofuels and dual fuel solutions. 

Norway has a total of 765 million m3 of forest, with an annual contribution of 25 million m3 - about 47% of Norway’s landmass. This has hardly been utilized for fuels, so the demand for more sustainable and “advanced biofuels” is high. The Government owned airport operator Avinor suggests that residual products from forests could provide a basis for establishing large-scale fuel production and cover up to 30-40 per cent of fuel needs in Norwegian aviation. Norway is looking to Europe and the U.S. for developments for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), in need of scaling and lower prices. Also, seaweed and algae are other biomass sources widely explored, for energy, fish feed, fertilization, and other purposes. Developments of sustainable fuels require broad cross border collaboration.    

Wind Energy

Norway has set an ambitious goal to achieve 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, positioning the country at the forefront of per capita renewable energy production. Land-based wind developments have faced local opposition, but a tax regime rewarding local communities may help make permitting more attractive. 

Electric vehicles

After several years with various incentives, more than 95% of new passenger cars sold in the consumer market have fully electric drive trains. New regulations for the procurement of vehicles for road transport entered into force this year. The government expects very few gasoline cars to be sold after 2025. The 2025 target is a political goal aimed at ending new gasoline/diesel sales, not a hard ban prohibiting their sale or use, although high taxes make them unfavorable. The government has largely met its goals for passenger vehicles and is shifting focus to emission reductions in heavy-duty transport. These high ambitions also translate to sea travel and aviation. The fleet of 220+ ferries are becoming zero emission. The regional airline Wideroe seeks to electrify its fleet within 2028.    

Civil Nuclear Technology

Norway has historically maintained small research reactors in two locations; Halden and Kjeller. The main purpose was for materials and safety research. Both reactors have been shut down and are under decommissioning. Norway does not possess nuclear weapons and relies to NATO’s nuclear deterrence and supports the Non-Proliferations Treaty. Norway has never operated a commercial nuclear power plant, having pivoted away from nuclear energy in the 1970s in favor of abundant hydropower. However, a convergence of growing energy security concerns, surging electricity demand (including from data centers, electrification of offshore oil and gas installations, and new industry), and the growing global innovation and development of small modular reactors (SMR) have placed nuclear firmly on the national agenda. 

There has been growing interest in civil nuclear energy from the public and from political parties. A growing number of Norwegian municipalities (around 60 at the start of 2025) have expressed interest in, or signed agreements to study, the implementation of SMRs through commercial entities and firms like Norwegian Nuclear Power (Norsk Kjernekraft). Public-private financing structures with industrial off-takers will be critical. In June 2024 the Norwegian government appointed a Nuclear Power Commission to deliver a comprehensive national assessment by April 2026.

Mining – Critical Minerals

Norway is rich in mineral resources and has the long-term potential to be a leading processor of critical minerals and rare earths. Norway holds significant reserves of critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite and other rare earth minerals. Norway offers high potential for minerals cooperation, serving as a strategic, sustainable partner for the United States and EU in securing critical materials like cobalt, nickel, graphite, aluminum, and rare earth elements. Opportunities exist working with Norway to develop land-based deposits in several areas - such as the major Fen Carbonatite Complex rare earth site – as well as financing and technology sharing for sustainable extraction. Many of these minerals are vital for technologies like defense and aerospace, semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and power systems. The Norwegian government considers sustainable mineral extraction a priority – focusing on balancing opportunity and environmental standards. Recent initiatives in Norway have focused on mapping mineral resources, reopening dormant mines, and attracting foreign investment to strengthen Norway and trusted partners’ self-sufficiency in critical raw materials. It is anticipated that Norway has significant seabed mineral resources. However, Norway has halted plans for seabed mining (exploration or extraction) following a Norwegian government budget agreement at the end of 2025.  

Next Generation Agriculture

Next-gen agriculture requires sustainable tech and novel farming methods to cut emissions, preserve soil quality, and safeguard biodiversity. Supported by government initiatives and funding, new business models rely on cross-border partnerships to innovate and expand. Given high labor expenses in Norway, automation yields substantial ROI.

Energy Efficient Buildings, Infrastructure, Transport

Smarter, more energy-efficient buildings have become a top priority in the development of smart cities. Authorities continually raise standards and requirements, emphasizing the importance of green and intelligent infrastructure that leverages AI technology. As part of a comprehensive plan to create a more sustainable society, authorities are also focusing on next-generation public transportation that offers seamless, autonomous door-to-door services, integrated with existing transportation networks (bus, rail, etc.). While some applications originate in Norway, most of the technology is acquired through trusted international partners. The United States offers valuable expertise in this field, but building effective partnerships can be complex. European cities are moving forward without waiting for the U.S. market to develop first, so vendors in this sector must proactively engage in this evolving landscape. Competition from Asia is significant.

Digital and AI leadership

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the defining technology priority of the current Norwegian digital strategy. With the Norwegian government targeting 80% AI adoption across public agencies by the end of 2025 and 100% by 2030, and private sector applications accelerating in energy, healthcare, and maritime, the demand for AI tools, platforms, and implementation services is strong. Foreign companies offering enterprise AI, predictive analytics, and machine learning infrastructure are well positioned, particularly those with proven compliance frameworks under the EU AI Act. The national AI strategy has an emphasis on ethical and transparent investments with public-private programs (NORA, NTNU and Sikt). Many agencies are in early pilot stages or using AI in minor supporting tasks. The Norwegian government has keyed in on the healthcare sector as a good use case, arguing that we must use people where people are needed, and technology where we can use technology.  
Norway has a rapidly growing data center market, with more than 90 data center facilities operated by around 40 providers as of Q3 2025.  More than 50 additional data centers have been announced/registered, and significant new developments are expected over the next 3-4 years.  Norway has also launched six national AI research centers which will focus on the future of computing, with an emphasis on AI, digital security, and the societal consequences of digital technology development.  
Please see the Digital Economy chapter below for further information.

Maritime, space, and resource innovation

Norway is investing in strategic technologies to strengthen its position in maritime, space, and resource sectors. The country is aggressively investing in strategic technologies to secure its future in the maritime, space, and energy sectors, focusing on sustainability and digitalization. In the maritime domain, Norway leads with autonomous ships, electrification of shipping, and low emission propulsion systems. Norway is also collaborating with partners for advanced naval vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, and maritime surveillance systems. There are considerable investments in subsea infrastructure that serve both the energy (oil/gas) and security industries. 

Norway is positioning itself as a critical gateway to space for both commercial and defense purposes. Norwegian companies contribute to small satellite launches and Arctic communication infrastructure. Norway has a growing focus on space-based surveillance and communication for maritime security and environmental monitoring, using both domestic systems and partnerships. In January 2025, Norway signed a Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) with the United States, allowing American satellites and launch vehicles to be launched from Norwegian soil. In resource innovation, technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) and offshore wind (Norway has announced plans to allocate 30 GW by 2040) are central to the future energy distribution. While oil and gas investments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf are expected to reach $24 billion in 2025, the focus is shifting toward “low-carbon” oil and entirely new green value chains.

Opportunities 

To develop the critical and emerging technologies necessary to meet the challenges of energy security, energy affordability, and lower emissions, the Norwegian Government believes that it must use both carrot and stick, involving taxes, incentives, subsidies, bans and government procurement, creating demand. U.S. companies with their capital, technology, and know-how have a lot to offer Norway within critical and cross-enabling technologies relevant to sectors such as energy, maritime, space, digitalization, AI, and critical minerals.  

Resources 

•    Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
•    Norwegian Ministry of Energy 
•    Norwegian Ministry of Digitalization and Public Governance
•    Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment
•    Norwegian Ministry of Transport
•    Norwegian Pollution Control Authority
•    Gassnova
•    Equinor
•    Statkraft
•    Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate 
•    Space Norway
•    Andoya Space
•    Norwegian Space Agency
•    Norwegian Datacenter Industry Association
•    TEK Norway
•    Norwegian Mineral Industry Association
•    Norwegian Bio Energy Association
•    Norwegian EV Association
•    Battery Norway