– It is a bit strange that we live in the same country and the differences are so great. But it’s great for them. Anne-Mette Hansen in Skien has so far this year used much less electricity than last year, yet the bills have increased. And electricity in Eastern Norway can become even more expensive during autumn and winter. Another electricity price record has been announced on Thursday. In south-east Norway, the price is NOK 4.43 per kWh at its highest, but in northern Norway the price is NOK 0.015. Hansen and his family are trying to find solutions. – I’m a little worried. We can take action with us, but it may go beyond comfort. Even shorter showers, more wood burning, lower temperatures on the stoves and closing off rooms. – Maybe I have to take an extra shift at work, she says. EXPENSIVE: Anne-Mette Hansen in Skien tries to plan electricity use to the best of her ability. Photo: Håkon Lie / news She does this Hansen says less use of hot water is what the family has “saved” on the most. With less effort, she runs the everyday wash with clothes at 30 degrees and ditches the dryer. The heating cables in the bathroom are turned off and throughout the winter the temperature is kept to a minimum. The family also follow the Fjordkraft electricity app a lot to see their own consumption, or when it might be cheapest to shower and wash clothes. – I’ll be in and check when it can be worthwhile. I work a lot of nights, so I have some options. Bit lucky there. – But you are not considering moving to Northern Norway? – No I do not. I have a very good time here in the south, says Hansen and laughs. – I feel sorry for them In recent months, Heidi Korsberg Rose and her family of four in Tromsø have had low electricity bills. Here, the family spends little time planning their own electricity consumption. – I can imagine that it would be very difficult for us. There is enough planning that is needed anyway. If we also had to plan when to put a dishwasher on, it would be difficult, says Rose. She sympathizes with those who live in southern Norway and believes the situation is unfair. – There are too many differences. This winter, it was clear that many people were struggling. There is something that needs to be addressed, she believes. – I feel sorry for them. That it should be penalized to live further south. Heidi and Michael Korsberg Rose, with their children Lilly and Olly. Photo: Hanne Wilhelms / news Statnett on the differences Statnett believes that there are several factors that cause the price difference to be so large. – A dry 2021 gave little water in the reservoirs in southern Norway, while the resource situation in the north has been far better. And there is a significant regional power surplus in the north of the Nordic region. At the same time, the transmission capacity between north and south in Norway and Sweden is limited, which results in very low prices in northern Norway. Håkon Smith-Isaksen Holdhus, communications advisor at Statnett, answers this in an email to news. – Families we have spoken to both in Tromsø and in Skien have told us that this is unfair. Do you understand why people feel that way? – Persistent large price differences where certain areas have significantly higher electricity prices than others in Norway is not socially rational. In Norway, we depend on electricity in our everyday lives, and we fully understand that today’s electricity prices are challenging for many. – What concrete needs to be done to even out the price differences, and how soon can it happen? – There is no definitive answer to what a target of equal price will entail in terms of measures. What is certain is that a power grid which must be able to ensure the same price in every situation will require massive investments and involve significant interventions with consequences for the environment, Statnett replies.
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– Too big differences – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
