Stoltenberg bør justere Norgespris

Stoltenberg should adjust the Norwegian price system. The country faces many crises and politics has the task of solving them. The Norgespris is not designed in a way that appeals to either engineers or economists. However, politically, it has managed to dampen some of the conflict levels in the energy field. This could be valuable, perhaps allowing for a more constructive debate on the long-term lines of Norwegian energy policy.

Perhaps it is precisely the Norgespris that makes the need for more renewable power and the grid unavoidable to ignore. But the Norgespris should be designed better. The current system is flawed in most areas. The consumption support set is 5000 kWh per month for households, and vacation homes also receive support for consumption.

This makes the system expensive and unjust. Those who use the least electricity receive the least in return for the system, even though electricity bills affect those with the lowest income the most. It is those who use the most electricity who receive the most support. Elhub shows that 71 percent of those with the highest electricity consumption have signed up for the Norgespris.

Only 46 percent of those with the lowest consumption are in this group. This should be a political goal that the Norgespris gives more to those who need it the most. Zero proposes three adjustments that would make the system both cheaper and more just: lower the consumption ceiling, remove vacation homes, and evaluate the Norgespris.

The average Norwegian household consumes nearly 15 000 kWh per year, according to Elhub. This equates to roughly 1200 kWh on average per month. Nevertheless, there are more months in winter with a higher average consumption. Zero proposes that the consumption ceiling be lowered to 3000 kWh per month. The energy department showed that in 2024, this would have meant that 80 percent of Norwegian households could still receive support for all electricity consumption in all months.

The last 20 percent would receive support for all consumption in most months, except for the coldest winter months. However, it is precisely on these days that the power system is most affected. By limiting consumption, we avoid designing the power system to withstand the extra load on the coldest winter days. Vacation homes can currently receive a Norgespris ceiling of 1000 kWh per month.

Two-thirds of Norwegian vacation homes with electricity have chosen this. By removing vacation homes from the system, the Norgespris would primarily affect regular household consumption rather than the more voluntary and flexible vacation consumption. This would strengthen the social profile and also limit the cost of the system.

Currently, 21.5 billion kroner is allocated for electricity support in 2026, and the bill could become even higher. This makes the system one of the largest investments in the state budget. It also impacts industry when support is given to Norwegian households' electricity consumption. Increased consumption in households raises prices for industry.

A system of such significance should be evaluated to be as smart and cost-effective as possible. A dull, but important reminder at the end: the Norgespris weakens incentives for energy saving, self-power generation, and shifting consumption. All of these we need more of to achieve a better energy system. The Norgespris also increases the need for more state support for energy efficiency.