Norway
WHERE? The Jostedalsbreen glacier system (458 km2) is the biggest glacier in Norway. Nigardsbreen glacier catchment (65 km2, with 73% glacier cover), is a glacier basin that feeds the Jostedøl river where the Jostedøla and Leirdøla hydropower plants are located.
WHY? Norway generates 98% of its electricity from hydropower, with glacier melt contributing 15% of the exploited water flow. Since up to 80% of runoff in glacial water systems occurs during summer, understanding the connection between the cryosphere, snow cover, and water availability is crucial for assessing future energy production. This highlights the vital role of water resources in Norway’s hydropower sector and the need for deeper insights into these complex relationships.
Photo 1. 3D visualization of 2024 dataset over Tunsbergdalbreen, source: https://www.norgeibilder.no/ developed by Eirik Malnes
Photo 2. Retreat of the glacier Nigardsbreen over 58 years (from 1966 on the left to 2024 on the right), source: https://www.norgeibilder.no/ developed by Eirik Malnes
Photo 3. Snow-Water Equivalent measurements at Filefjell (in the outskirts of Jostedalsbreen), by Peter Thomas, NORCE