Electricity, February 2003

Exports were 447 GWh and imports were 1 126 GWh in February, and net imports came to 6.5 per cent of total consumption. In December and January net imports were equivalent to 3.6 and 7.7 per cent of the total consumption respectively. The energy went from North Norway to Sweden and from South Sweden to Eastern Norway

Uncertainty concerning the power situation

In February the production was 9 792 GWh, which is a decrease of 14.8 per cent from last year. The average production in February has been clearly higher in recent years. In February there was an uncertainty concerning the power situation with low reservoirs levels and low trickle. This situation may have influenced the producers to moderate their production. The precipitation was 75 per cent less than normal for the entire country in the period from November to February. Large production areas such as Western Norway and North Norway recorded only 50 - 75 per cent of normal precipitation this winter. This precipitation is supposed to replenish the reservoirs in the spring when the snow melts. In order to reach a normal water level in 2003, the precipitation must be significantly higher than normal for the rest of the year.

Low consumption for the season

The total gross consumption was 10 470 GWh in February, which is a decrease of 6.5 per cent from last year. General consumption decreased by 5.2 per cent. The consumption in power-intensive manufacturing decreased by 11.3 per cent compared with figures for last year. This is a result of reduced activity in the sector, which together with a high price level made it profitable with resale to the market.

See also

Reservoir level

Prices of electric energy

Tables:

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