Lysaker, 17 December 2003 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): By the end of week 50, the level in the Norwegian water reservoirs was 59 percent full. This is a decrease of 1.6 percentage points from last week. The reservoir level is now 4.1 percentage points higher than for the corresponding period last year. In Sweden the hydropower reservoir levels dropped 1.9 percentage points to 52.4 per cent by the end of week 50. Normal influx and approximately twice as much precipitation than normal in week 50 have resulted in increased production in Norway and slightly falling prices. Much of the precipitation came as snow, and the snow amount is now higher than normal for the season. Colder weather led to an increase in consumption from week 49 to week 50, but it was nevertheless higher temperatures than normal in week 50. Norway's net import was on the high side of 70 GWh in week 50, which is a decrease of 145 GWh from last week. The spot price is now below half of what it was at the same time last year. This is the main cause for the power production in Denmark and Finland and the Nordic countries net imports being on a lower level than for the corresponding period last year. ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Marit Lundteigen Fossdal, NVE, tel: +47 2295 9353