Lysaker, 30 March 2005 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): During week 12, Nordic electricity consumption fell considerably as a result of Easter break and milder weather. Also in continental Europe, temperatures have risen, leading to falling German power prices and Nordic electricity import. During the Easter week, the Norwegian electricity production was 15 percent lower than the preceding week. This resulted in reduced usage of water for hydropower production, and during week 12 the reservoir filling level fell by 2.3 percentage points to 39.2 percent. That is 4.3 percentage points below normal, but 9.2 percentage points higher that last year. In Sweden, the filling level is now 25.2 percent, after a reduction of 2.7 percentage points in week 12. The electricity prices to consumers with standard variable price contracts have been stable the last few weeks. Several suppliers have during this period offered prices below those observed in the spot market. As an example, the average price offered by the fifteen cheapest suppliers (standard variable contract) was 0.267 NOK/kWh in week 12, while the average price at the electricity exchange was 0.283 NOK/kWh (both prices includes VAT). ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Marit Lundteigen Fossdal, NVE, tel: +47 2295 9353