The ENERGIX programme will provide funding for research on renewable energy, efficient use of energy, energy systems and energy policy. The programme is a key instrument in the implementation of Norway's national RD&D strategy, Energi21, as well as for achieving other energy policy objectives. The programme encompasses technological, natural science, social science and humanities-related research and development activities.

The ENERGIX programme is designed to help to achieve the Government's energy and climate policy objectives, as well as to advance objectives in other important areas such as transport policy, industrial policy and research policy.

The programme is targeted towards Norwegian companies and research and educational institutions that can enhance long-term competence-building that will further the development of the energy industry and related industries, such as the energy processing industry and the supplier industry.

Primary objective:

The ENERGIX programme is designed to provide support for the long-term, sustainable restructuring of the energy system in order to accommodate a greater supply of new renewable energy, and meet the need to improve efficiency and flexibility and facilitate closer energy integration with Europe, with due consideration given to environmental perspectives.

The programme will help to generate new knowledge and cutting-edge solutions aimed at achieving five primary targets presented below.

The programme will work to:

• Ensure Norway’s security of supply in light of the increasing integration and internationalisation of the energy system by developing new knowledge, technology and solutions for:-
  -ensuring sound management, secure production and optimal consumption and transmission of energy;
  -improving the robustness and flexibility of the energy system.
• Achieve sustainable utilisation and consumption of Norway’s renewable energy resources in the short and the long term by developing new knowledge, technology and solutions for:
  -using energy properly and using the proper energy;
  -exploiting Norway’s particular advantages with regard to value creation.
• Reduce Norwegian and global emissions of climate gases by:
  -enhancing knowledge relating to the use of policy instruments, market development and altering energy consumption;
  -developing new knowledge, technology and solutions in areas in which Norway has special expertise to facilitate reductions in global emissions;
  -learning more about how to design effective planning and decision-making processes, establish constructive framework conditions and implement useful instruments for the production and consumption of and systems for clean energy.
• Develop Norwegian trade and industry in areas in which Norwegian players have specific competitive advantages by:
  -developing new knowledge, technology and solutions to boost companies’ national and international competitiveness;
  -ensuring that Norwegian players have access to international knowledge production and open opportunities for innovation in Norwegian trade and industry.
  - -
  In this context, Norwegian players mean companies that contribute to value creation in Norway, either through Norwegian ownership or a presence in the country.
• Develop Norwegian research communities in priority areas by:
  -enhancing technological and social science-related knowledge about challenges relating to the long-term restructuring of the Norwegian energy system;
  -facilitating innovative research on future conditions and development trends that are not yet known and to answer questions that have not yet been asked.
   

The framework within which these targets are to be met is continually shifting to reflect economic and industrial developments, environmental, social and cultural circumstances, and national and geopolitical conditions, among other key factors. Thus, an understanding of this complex overall context will be essential to ensuring that the research activities adequately target the implementation of new knowledge and application of results.

  The ENERGIX-programme will also facilitate the R_5D, so that new ideas and concepts have the opportunity to be considered.