Norway is in the middle of a major energy transition, where the future of the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) is closely linked to questions of geopolitical uncertainty, employment, energy prices, and climate commitments.
Petroleum activity on the NCS currently accounts for 60% of Norway's total exports, 10% of private sector employment, and 25% of national greenhouse gas emissions — making the transition one of the most complex economic and political challenges Norway faces.
TraCES analyses New industries such as offshore wind, hydrogen production, and CO₂ storage hold significant potential on the NCS, and TraCES will investigate how these can be scaled up alongside the decarbonisation of remaining petroleum activity. The transition of the overall NCS industry sector is expected to have far-reaching implications for labour migration from the petroleum sector to emerging industries both on- and offshore, as well as for the development of existing sectors in Norway, including electricity.
A solid knowledge-based foundation is therefore crucial for ensuring the transition happens in a timely, well-managed, and efficient manner.
The project will develop new models and open datasets that shed light on future emissions, energy needs, and investment requirements — linking this with analyses of the power market and labour market. The goal is to provide concrete, evidence-based recommendations on the pace, instruments, and policies needed to manage the transition effectively.
In TraCES, researchers from SINTEF, the Frisch Center and UiO collaborate with Bellona, ZERO, Havtil, Tekna, LO and the Confederation of Norwegian Industry to provide decision-makers with a strengthened knowledge base.