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Witt M. de, Valfells Á., Larsen J. N., Stefánsson H. Dependence оn Electricity Among the Inhabitants of the Rural Western Arctic

Magnus De Witt
Reykjavik University
Reykjavik, Iceland
E-mail: magnusw@ru.is

Águst Valfells
Reykjavik University
Reykjavik, Iceland
E-mail: av@ru.is

Joan Nymand Larsen
University of Akureyri; Stefansson Arctic Institute
Akureyri, Iceland
E-mail: jnl@unak.is

Hlynur Stefánsson
Reykjavik University
Reykjavik, Iceland
E-mail: hlynur@ru.is

 

  Download  |  Go to Issue #1. 2020

 

ABSTRACT. This paper reviews the electricity dependence of inhabitants in the western Arctic and provides an overview of past developments of electricity supply and how the current relation between the inhabitants and electricity is structured. In the Arctic, electricity takes on a special role due to its importance for security in addition to a matter of entertainment and productivity as seen in more temperate areas (Allen et al. 2016). This paper discusses the importance of electricity in the North, including the questions of what would happen to Arctic communities in the absence of an electricity supply. A hypothetical case of a blackout is presented. Furthermore, the burden of high electricity costs in the Arctic is discussed. The results of this research may contribute new knowledge for further research on the potential energy transition in the Arctic. Furthermore, the results emphasize the importance of energy and its supply security in the Arctic, which provides support for a focal point on energy security for energy transition policies.

 

KEYWORDS: energy, renewable energy, affordability, mixed economy, value of lost loadе

 

УДК658.26(98)
DOI 10.31250/2618-8619-2020-1(7)-25-35

 

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