Electricity bills could rise by hundreds of kronor this winter

Skåne residents could face electricity bills about 700 kronor higher each month this winter than last winter. The expected increase reflects a broader rise in Swedish electricity prices, with the sharpest impact forecast in the country's south.

The electricity market is not expected to enter a crisis, but analysts anticipate substantially higher prices than last winter. Water reservoirs are below normal levels, while surging gas prices have raised electricity costs on the European continent. Those higher prices affect Sweden, particularly the southern half of the country.

Prices have already moved above last year's levels, and the autumn is not expected to bring much relief. Half of Sweden's nuclear-power fleet will at times be offline for annual maintenance. The biggest increase is expected during the winter, when electricity use normally rises.

Electricity supplier God El estimates that a villa owner in the southernmost electricity region, area 4, will pay around 3,700 kronor per month from December through February for electricity alone. That is about 700 kronor more than last winter. In electricity area 3, covering Svealand and northern Götaland, the projected monthly cost is about 3,100 kronor, an increase of roughly 300 kronor. In Norrland, areas 1 and 2, the bill is expected to rise by 300 kronor to about 2,100 kronor.

Grid charges and electricity tax add nearly 2,000 kronor a month on average for a villa using about 20,000 kilowatt-hours annually. Winter consumption is higher, so the total monthly bill will be considerably larger. Apartment residents face much lower costs. God El chief executive Maria Erdmann advised households to prepare for expensive bills, noting that weather, wind, war and unrest could quickly change the forecast.

“

Given the uncertainty surrounding weather, wind, war and unrest in the world around us, the forecast could change quickly if something major happens. We should hope for the best but prepare for expensive electricity bills this winter.