Electricity, February 2002

The fall in consumption that took place I January continued in February. This can partly be explained by the fact that the average temperature was significantly above normal for the entire country, while February last year was colder than normal. The electricity prices, grid rent and taxes included, were 10.1 per cent higher than for the corresponding month last year. The electricity prices also rose considerably in 2001.The growth in consumption did not seem to be resistant to higher prices.

The consumption of electricity in energy-intensive manufacturing went down by 5.9 compared with the corresponding month last year. The consumption in the production of iron, steel and ferroalloys fell by 28.4 per cent. This industry has experienced lower international prices for a year. This has led to lower production, and thereby lower consumption of electricity. The last twelve months the total consumption went down by 1.7 per cent compared with the previous corresponding period.

Lower production

The production of electricity reached 11 476 GWh in February. The water reservoir level was on average 57.2 per cent of total capacity in February, which is normal for this month, and slightly below the recorded level for February last year. The water reservoirs were tapped more in February last year. The last twelve months the production was 120 347 GWh. This is down 16.2 per cent compared with the previous corresponding period, and is due to particularly rainy weather in 2000.

Export surplus

The export surplus was 303 GWh in February. The trade of electricity with Sweden resulted in an export surplus of 562 GWh, while there was an import surplus of 259 GWh towards Denmark, Finland and Russia. The export surplus represented 2.6 per cent of the total production of electricity in February.

Tables:

• Table 1 Production, import, export and consumption of electric energy. GWh. Preliminary figures