Its mandate includes contingency planning for floods, serving as a centre of expertise for hydrology, research and development, and increasing energy efficiency.

It is a member of the Council of European Energy Regulators.

The directorate is based in Oslo and has regional offices in Hamar, Førde, Tønsberg, Trondheim, and Narvik.

Its website includes statistics on Norwegian energy consumption, production, and prices and a database of Norwegian lakes and water catchment areas.

The directorate can also issue new regulations within the scope of these acts.