About NVE

Energy and water are fundamental factors in the struggle to combat poverty, improve health conditions, and increase prosperity in the developing world. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has worked in the field of energy for more than 100 years, and with water for nearly 200 years. During all these years the organisation has acquired a vast amount of experience and knowledge which, combined with the cooperation with the Norwegian Agency for Development (Norad) for more than 30 years, has given NVE a great experience in development assistance within the fields of energy and water.

An integrated and environmentally sound management of Norway’s water and energy resources has always been high on the agenda, gradually institutionalised through laws, regulations and guidelines. Increased pressure on fossil fuels and energy sources as well as on water necessitates higher emphasis on environmentally friendly energy production and consumption, and on increasing use of renewable energy. Norad has therefore, during recent years, prioritised development assistance within the energy and infrastructure  sector, in which NVE with it’s vast experience and knowledge is well qualified  to assist.

For the assistance to be successful, however, institutional and capacity building, and institutional cooperation with a long-term perspective is a prerequisite. Hopefully NVE, in cooperation with other directorates and organisations, as well as with private consultants, can assist in ensuring its success. 

Agnar Aas
Director General