Download Annual Report 2008 - NVE

Preface
A NNUA L R EPORT 2008
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 Cooperation (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