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Norway to Decide on Electricity Price Increase in October
🇳🇴 Norway /Energy & Infrastructure

Norway to Decide on Electricity Price Increase in October

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The Norwegian government will decide in October whether to increase the 'Norgespris' electricity price from its current level of 50 øre per kilowatt-hour, including VAT.
  • Three of the government's four coalition partners advocate for maintaining the current price, while the Green Party is open to adjustments.
  • The current electricity support scheme is projected to cost the state 21.5 billion kroner this year, 10 billion more than initially anticipated.

Norway's government faces a decision in October regarding the future of the 'Norgespris,' a regulated electricity price. The current rate stands at 50 øre per kilowatt-hour, including VAT, and the government will determine if this price will be adjusted from 2027 onwards.

The price can very well remain where it is. 50 øre with VAT is a suitable level.

— Linda Ørstavik ÖbergEnergy policy advisor at consumer organization Huseierne, commenting on the Norgespris.

Significant political divisions exist among the government's coalition partners. The Centre Party (Sp), the Socialist Left Party (SV), and the Red Party (Rødt) all favor keeping the Norgespris at its present level. They argue that electricity is essential and should remain affordable. The Green Party (MDG), however, is more open to discussing potential adjustments to the price.

It cannot be increased significantly from today's 40 øre.

— Marie Sneve MartinussenLeader of the Red Party (Rødt), expressing her party's stance on the Norgespris.

Consumer organization Huseierne also urges the government to keep the Norgespris unchanged. They fear that significant changes could reignite contentious debates surrounding electricity prices. Linda Ørstavik Öberg, an energy policy advisor at Huseierne, stated that 50 øre with VAT is a suitable level.

We believe it should remain at today's level.

— Lars HaltbrekkenMember of the Socialist Left Party (SV), stating his party's position on the Norgespris.

This decision comes as the government's electricity support measures are proving more expensive than forecast. This year's total cost for electricity support and the Norgespris is expected to reach 21.5 billion kroner, a substantial increase of 10 billion kroner above initial estimates. The current scheme is planned to run until 2029.

We haven't concluded on a fixed amount, but we are open to discussing the level.

— Frøya Skjold SjursætherMember of the Green Party (MDG), indicating openness to adjusting the Norgespris.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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