Svalbard After coal
Longyearbyen after the end of Norwegian coal mining, from the power supply to the clean-up of the old sites.
Where it stands
Store Norske (the state-owned mining company) closed Mine 7 on 4 May 2026, ending Norwegian coal mining on Svalbard. The mine stopped producing coal on 30 June 2025.
Longyearbyen's power has come from diesel since 2023. Since summer 2026 a solar plant also feeds surplus power into the town's grid.
A new energy plant is planned at Hotellneset. Store Norske moved the start of foundation work to spring 2027 and invited residents to a public meeting on the plans in October.
Store Norske and Longyearbyen lokalstyre (the local council) are cleaning up old landfills and mining sites under one joint contract, won by the contractor LNS Spitsbergen.
History
- 1610Discovery and whalingCoal is seen in KongsfjordenStore norske leksikon
- 1905The coal townLongyear City is foundedStore norske leksikon
- 1916The coal townStore Norske takes overStore norske leksikon
- 1920The coal townThe Mine 1 accidentStore norske leksikon
- 1962The coal townExplosion in the Ny-Ålesund mineStore norske leksikon
- 1989The coal townThe company town endsStore norske leksikon
- 1941War and rebuildingThe mines stop and people leaveStore norske leksikon
- 1946War and rebuildingRebuilt and back in productionStore norske leksikon
- 1975The modern townThe airport opensStore norske leksikon
- 2002The modern townThe local council beginsStore norske leksikon
- 2019The present transitionHomes are cleared from the slopeStore norske leksikon
- 2020The present transitionSvea Nord closesStore norske leksikon
- 2023The present transitionPower plant leaves coalStore norske leksikon
- 2025The present transitionMine 7 closesStore norske leksikon
Tags in this topic
Coal 13Mine 7 8Power plant 6Store Norske 31