Lysaker, 10 June 2004 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): Milder weather and one extra public holiday led to reduced power production in the Nordic countries during week 23. The power prices at Nord Pool have increased from week 22, despite lower demand. Increased prices have contributed to increased power import to the Nordic countries. In week 23, the total net import to the Nordic region was 396 GWh. More than half of the net import comes from Russia, while approximately one fourth was imported to Sweden from Poland and Germany. The remaining was Danish import from Germany. This is the highest Nordic import seen during one week so far this year. Less precipitation than normal in week 23 resulted in the water influx to the Norwegian hydropower reservoirs being half of the normal levels during the week. Normally, there is also more snow melting in this week than observed in week 23. Norwegian hydro stocks rose 1.9 percentage points throughout week 23 to 49.5 per cent as of 7 June. The hydropower reservoirs are now 5.4 percentage points below the median level, but 6.5 percentage points above last year's level. In Sweden, the reservoir level is now 44.4 per cent, after an increase during week 23 of 2.3 percentage points. Sweden's energy content is 2.2 percentage points lower than last year. ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Marit Lundteigen Fossdal, NVE, tel: +47 2295 9353