Data centres in Norway are required to assess the potential for utilising surplus heat under the Energy Act. The Norwegian Parliament has adopted legislative amendments that will extend and strengthen these requirements once they come into force. This article sets out the key requirements and what data centre operators should consider now.
Data centres and other energy-intensive facilities such as large thermal power plants, industrial plants, district heating and cooling facilities, as well as specified energy production facilities, are subject to requirements under the Energy Act concerning surplus heat. The key obligation is currently to perform a cost-benefit analysis of the usage of such surplus heat, and under current rules, the Ministry cannot require data centres to use surplus heat.
