Statnett considers the Stavanger region, the area around Bergen, Central Norway and the Northern region north of Ofoten to be the most vulnerable areas. “The situation in Hordaland in particular was much more critical than we were previously aware of. The risk of major power outages was as high as 50 per cent. In other words, we were just lucky not to experience an extensive major blackout in these areas. We would not be doing our job if we did not implement measures to secure a more reliable supply after this,” says Auke Lont, President and CEO of Statnett.
Some of the measures will compensate for peaks in consumption, whereas others will tackle potential electricity shortages throughout the winter. The measures that will be implemented are: 

1. Increased use of energy options in consumption
   This is a measure which allows Statnett to compensate enterprises for reducing their consumption in a very strained energy supply situation. Statnett is planning to increase its use of such options ahead of the coming winter. 
2. Reduced access to new consumption
   In principle, Statnett has a duty to grant new consumers access to the main grid. However, until the grid reinforcements have been implemented exceptions may be made for new or increased consumption in exposed areas. Statnett will make it clear that until new lines have been established into Western Norway (Bergen and Stavanger) Central Norway, Troms and Finnmark, major new consumption units will pose a challenge to security of supply.
3. New/moving of reserve power plants
   Statnett will consider establishing reserve power plants to improve the situation in Western Norway (the Bergen and Stavanger area), Troms and Finnmark. The use in these areas would have to be closely linked to peaks in consumption (effect). Statnett will look into establishing new facilities, as well as moving existing plants. These facilities would not be operational until next year at the earliest. For the coming winter, Statnett will apply for a licence to use the reserve power plants in the event of major faults and difficult operating situations, in line with the dispensations that were granted last winter. 
4. Mongstad and Kollsnes as reserve power plants
   The gas power plant at Mongstad has an unused production capacity of 150 MW. Statnett has entered into a dialogue with Statoil regarding the possibility of using this as back-up capacity in periods of high consumption. This is contingent on a discharge permit from the authorities for increased use and thus increased emissions. Statnett will also raise the question of whether the plant at Kollsnes and other major industrial plants can be disconnected to achieve a speedy reduction in consumption during certain periods.  
5. Increased fault correction preparedness
   During certain periods of high consumption and low transmission capacity, it may become necessary to operate the grid with a much higher risk of power outages. Until the new lines have been constructed, this will require a more tailored preparedness system. Statnett will change its preparedness system in collaboration with local and regional energy companies and in consultation with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).

These measures come in addition to the measures already in Statnett’s ”tool box”:

• Separate market areas for areas with insufficient grid capacity or risk of energy shortages
• Obtain detailed information from other players in the electricity market
• Provide more detailed information to the other players in the electricity market
• Cancel maintenance
• Provide information to the general public
• Install equipment for automatic disconnection of consumers, as imports could then be increased
• Disconnection of electric boilers
• Special downward adjustments of the power production to ensure full imports
• Special downward adjustments of the power production to ensure that there is enough water for particularly important power stations
• Operate the grid with reduced operational reliability
• Pay major consumers to reduce their consumption (effectuate the energy options)
• Start-up of reserve power plants (mobile gas power plants)