1 Institutional setting for energy statistics in Norway Olav Ljones Oslo Group Canberra, May

Official statistics characteristics – a common factual basis Independency High public confidence – a necessity Official statistics may be produced by NSOs or other government bodies. Norway: Centralised statistics systems –Statistics Norway is responsible for more than 85 per cent of the official statistics in Norway Norway: Register-based statistics system –But sample surveys are still important Statistics and analysis. Norway: Statistics Norway has a Research department

The Statistics Act (1989) Statistics Norway’s tasks –Collect, compile and disseminate official statistics –Identify, map and prioritise –Analyse and carry out research –Coordinate Norwegian, official statistics –Responsible for international statistics cooperation Statistics Norway’s rights –Unrestricted access to administrative registers –Right to impose duty to provide information and fines –Professional independence

Institutional arrangements energy statistics in Norway Norway is an energy rich country – with long traditions both in hydro electric and petroleum/ gas. (More than 100 years with hydro elelctric and 40 years with oil and gas off shore in the North Sea). Norwegian system for official statistics is characterised by centralisation Statistics act with legal base for Stat Norway to collect data, also from government administrative information systems. Confidentiality, A challenge on the field of energy Professional independence for NSO by law

More about the institutional setting Statistics Norway has strong tradition for National accounts, but also environment statistics. Research department – long tradition for activities on energy economics. National and international energy markets ( European gas market). Population registers business registers. Re-engeneering the IT and production system International orientation

Data collection Data collection from private firms – both producers and users. Mandatory surveys with fines for non response. Electronic reporting should available. Legal base is important. Data collection from energy ministries. Energy directorates. NVE ( Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate ) and Oil and Gas (Norwegian Petroleum Directorate)oil and gas). Example of a common electronic reporting. NVE has included Stat Norway questions in their administrative report. Data collection from municipalities - reduced importance over the years as result of the deregulation of markets. A part of a general program for data collection from municipalities Government local and central as users of energy. Energy saving programs. ( are data representative ?) Energy in buildings. ( How to make these data to fit into the official statistics approach, energy use by households and business sector.

More examples Prices. Complex situation. One key element both for energy in CPI, produces prices and NA. Energy use in households. A part of common consumer expenditure surveys. High non response a challenge.

Coordination Coordination in a decentralised statistical system One of the duties given to SN The Council for coordination. Invite government bodies that produce official statistics No precise label or certificate yet for official statistics Common principles are to be followed by all members of the statistical council for coordination