Lysaker, 1 February 2006 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): Milder weather contributed to the Nordic electricity consumption falling by 0.4 TWh from week 3 to week 4. This resulted in reduced spot prices in Middle and Northern Norway, Sweden, and Finland. In Southern Norway, the spot price increased slightly. This increase is related to peak load pricing on Monday, when prices rose to more than 0.80 NOK/KWh. The Norwegian electricity production fell approximately 6 percent in week 4, after having been record high in week 3. Despite a reduction in production, the filling level in Norwegian hydropower reservoirs fell by 3.2 percentage points during the week. At the end of week 4, the filling level was 65.1 percent, or 2.5 percentage points above normal. The inflow of water to the power system was 0.7 TWh in week 4, which is normal for the week. TIncreased prices in the spot market during the last few weeks have resulted in increased prices also in the end user market. The price offered at standard variable price contracts by the dominating suppliers was 0.451 NOK/kWh on Monday. This is an increase of 0.018 NOK/MWh from last week, and during the last four weeks, this price has increased by 0.054 NOK/KWh. ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Marit Lundteigen Fossdal, NVE, tel: +47 2295 9353