The regulation bans the use of mineral oil for heating of buildings from 2020. The purpose of the ban is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The regulation will not be adopted until after the notification process is completed.

The ban is a general ban that prohibits the use of mineral oil for heating of buildings from 2020. The ban on use of mineral oil for heating of buildings covers two main oil-heating sources:

(1) The main heating source which covers most of the needed effect to meet the heating demand throughout the year (base load) and;

(2) The additional heating source which only covers the effect needed to meet the heating demand on extraordinary cold days (peak load).

The following uses of mineral oil in buildings fall outside the scope of the regulation:

• buildings used as small cabins/holiday homes and lighthouses without access to the power grid,

• district heating,

• heating of buildings if the main purpose of the combustion plant is to produce and/or process materials, substances or products.

An exception for use of mineral oil in the event of interruptions in the power grid is also included in the regulation.

Considerations regarding security of energy supply is taken into account and hence the regulations contain a possibility to make exemptions when necessary.

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate may also decide that the ban should not apply in a limited geographic area and within a limited period, if it is necessary to secure the energy supply in the power grid.

The municipality is the competent authority to monitor and ensure compliance with the ban, and may in extraordinary cases grant individual exemptions from the ban. The owner and user of the heating plant is responsible for compliance with the provisions in the regulation.