NHO president Svein Tore Holsether has expressed strong criticism of the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), claiming that their communication on energy permits and future expansion of power generation is misleading. He highlighted that in the previous year, NVE only approved 0.27 terawatt hours (TWh) of new energy, suggesting that at this rate, the ambitious goal set by the Energy Commission of 40 TWh by 2030 will not be reached until 2175. This critical remark emphasizes the urgency that Holsether believes is necessary for achieving Norway's energy targets.

In response to Holsether's concerns, NVE director Kjetil Lund provided a differing perspective, suggesting that the development of wind energy often faces significant obstacles at the local municipality level. Lund emphasized the importance of a cautious approach, referring to the lessons learned from the wind power boom of the early 2010s, which faced substantial pushback and ultimately ceased. His comments highlight the complexities involved in effectively rolling out new energy projects in Norway.

Energy Minister Terje Aasland commended NVE for expediting its processing times but also expressed dissatisfaction with the current scale of energy expansion. Aasland hopes to see an increase in municipal approvals for wind energy studies, an essential step in moving towards the ambitious energy goals set by the government. The ongoing dialogue illustrates a critical moment for Norway as it grapples with the balance between energy development and community concerns, which could shape the country's energy landscape for the foreseeable future.