Norgespris kan koste 55 milliarder: – Et politisk valg

Norgespris, the fixed price for electricity in Norway, may cost 55 billion kroner, according to a political decision. Currently, the price stands at 40 øre per kilowatt-hour, or 50 øre including value-added tax (Moms), with most people paying over a krone per kilowatt-hour for electricity. Some areas with high network fees see electricity prices significantly higher than others.

The government has not yet specified the level for Norgespris. While the government anticipated spending 11.5 billion kroner on power support and Norgespris last year, this was revised to 21.5 billion kroner in May. Statistician Tor Reier Lilleholt of Volue estimates the cost to the state next year could be around 13 billion kroner with current market prices.

Lilleholt explains that the cost to the state could drop to zero if extremely windy weather occurs, but with extremely dry weather and high prices across the country, the cost could reach up to 55 billion kroner. District Energy's CEO Knut Lockert believes retaining Norgespris is wise despite increased state costs as electricity prices rise.

He suggests increasing the Norgespris level or reducing the number of kilowatt-hours that can be subsidized, such as lowering it from 5,000 to 4,000 kilowatt-hours, which would still encourage energy-saving measures. Lockert acknowledges criticism from solar panel, heat pump, and battery storage providers who argue their demand falls with Norgespris and that power from the grid is favored.

He notes Norgespris has received complaints to the EU's ESA, which is still handling the case. Lockert states that adjusting Norgespris is necessary as it has limitations and whether it's a political issue is another matter. Storting's Energy and Environment Committee leader Mani Hussaini (Ap) argues Norgespris provides households with energy bill predictability, a central focus for the government.

He acknowledges concerns about Norgespris being costly to the state but emphasizes it's a political decision to give consumers control over the final bill. Hussaini notes that the government's budget for electricity subsidies and revenue from the state increase with higher electricity prices, as the country has substantial public ownership in the power sector.

Storting representative Maren Grøthe (Sp) intends to continue Norgespris despite rising costs, believing that as electricity prices rise, the state earns more, and some of those profits should be returned to citizens. Grøthe suggests that Norgespris's increasing cost highlights the need for more measures to relieve households. Both Grøthe and Høyre MP Aleksander Stokkebø stress the importance of a secure and reliable system that gives consumers confidence, but they also advocate for evaluating Norgespris to determine if it can be adjusted and improved.