Surge in electricity consumption

Gross consumption of electricity in July was 7,760 GWh, an increase of all of 7.8 per cent from the same month last year. Consumption so far this year is 69,447 GWh, an increase of 4.9 per cent from the same period last year. In power-intensive industries the increase was 9.1 and 7 per cent respectively for the two periods. The increase in electricity consumption is attributed to a flourishing economy, low electricity prices and cool weather in southern Norway.

Consumption in July was clearly the highest ever registered for this month and is nearly six per cent higher than the previous record in 1995. The total consumption so far this year of 69,447 GWh is also the highest registered, but is not more than 1.6 per cent above the previous high level from 1996. In addition to the booming economy, which is an important factor in electricity consumption, electricity prices are also low. Since July last year the average price households pay for electricity including mains rental and fees fell by 6.3 per cent, figures from the consumer price index show.

New Statistics
Monthly electricity statistics, July 1998.
Statistics are prepared in cooperation with the Nord Pool ASA and Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Administration (NVE), and are published monthly in the Weekly Bulletin of Statistics. For more information, contact: pal. marius.bergh@ssb.no, tel. +47 21 09 44 20, or ann.christin.boeng@ssb.no, tel. +47 21 09 47 43.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 37, 1998