Lysaker, 6 December 2006 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): Strong increase in the reservoir level In week 48 the mild and wet weather continued and the inflow to the hydro reservoirs was three times as high as normal. The last four weeks the inflow has been more than twice of normal values. Together with low consumption and electricity imports this resulted in increased levels in the reservoirs. During week 48 the level increased with 1.5 percentage points and at the end of the week the level was 67.2 percent. Southern Norway had the greatest increase, but also in Middle- Norway and North-Norway the levels gained. Normally there is a reduction at this time of the year. The electricity whole-sale prices continued to decline and the average price in Southern Norway was 29.7 øre/kWh in week 48. Compared to the yearly maximum in August, the price has more than halved. Middle- Norway and Northern-Norway had identical prices in week 49 - with an average of 32.6 øre/kWh. The price for a household consumer with a spot price contract (with a mark-up of 2.2 øre/kWh) was 39.3 øre/kWh (incl. VAT) in week 48. That is a 7.6 øre/kWh drop since the previous week. ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Tor Arnt Johnsen, NVE, phone: +47 9302 4238 Jon Sagen, NVE, phone: +47 2295 9595