. In the current situation, an ordinary household has to pay three times more for electricity than usual. Energy analysts come with warnings.
The price of electricity in the south of the country has so far exceeded one crown per kilowatt hour in recent days. In addition to the energy itself, customers also pay a surcharge to energy companies, as well as rent and network charges.
On Thursday, the price of electricity in the south Norway is NOK 1,23 per kilowatt hour without additional charges, according to the Nord Pool energy exchange. This is by far the highest average price of the year, also well above mid-winter levels at the beginning of the year.
In the middle one Norway price is 64 øre per kilowatt hour without additional charges and 60 øre in northern Norway. The price is lower here - partly due to better reservoir filling and limited network capacity in the south.
High prices in Europe
Energy analyst Tor Reier Lilleholt says Thursday's price record is not a big surprise. The reason for the high prices in Norway is a combination of dry weather and high prices in Europe.
The reason for the high prices of electricity is their high production costs, both for coal and gas power plants. High coal prices, record gas and CO prices2which rose to record levels of more than 60 euros apiece.
Warns of a stressful situation
At the same time, Lilleholt reminds that the consumption season has only just begun. Heating of houses in southern Norway has so far been hardly needed, but with a greater demand for heating, it is logical that prices will also be higher.
Already in September, prices are very high. With the reservoir forecasts we have, we have to talk about rationing in spring, says Lilleholt. He describes a state of emergency that is still distant, but underlines the need to prepare for it.
NVE's job now is to prepare an electricity saving campaign and prepare people for this stressful situation. There is a long time until March-April, but we must wait for the snow in the mountains to melt again before we know the facts. Until then, the situation is very precarious.
. Triple electricity bill
The high prices for a normal household in September will be as follows:
“For the power alone, the household has to pay three times more than normal. For the average household, this means that the energy cost will increase from around NOK 500 / month in a normal year at around 40 øre / kWh to 1500 NOK if we use the current spot price of 113 øre / kWh as a base. Added to this is network rent, fees and VAT, ”writes Marius Hol Rennesund, energy analyst.
Depending on the weather
The tension ahead depends on how the weather develops. October is especially important because then the rainfall will fill the tanks. It can be cold in November, but if the rain comes in the form of snow, we won't be able to produce energy from it until next year. Winter temperature is another factor.
Read our next article: Electricity suppliers in Norway - the battle for the customer continues!
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