Lysaker, 26 October 2005 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): The Norwegian electricity consumption increased with 13 percent from week 41 to week 42, due to colder weather. The consumption also rose in the other Nordic countries. Less inflow than normal, reduced risk for flooding and colder weather than normal has contributed to increased prices in the Nordic power market. The average price in the market increased with more than 20 NOK/MWh from week 41 to week 42. The inflow to the Norwegian reservoirs was considerably below normal in week 42. At the same time the electricity production has been high. Consequently the Norwegian reservoir level has dropped with 1.6 percentage points during week 42. The level at the end of the week was 87.2 percent. In Sweden the reservoir level is 86.9 percent, after a 1.4 percentage point decrease in week 42. Increased spot price has lead to increased prices in the retail market. Customers with a contract that is directly linked to the price movements in the spot market had a more expensive contract, than most of the customers with standard variable contracts (with a lagged effect from the spot market) in week 42. Many suppliers have notified their customers that the price on the standard variable contract will increase with effect from week 35 onwards. ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Nils Spjeldnæs NVE, tel: +47 2295 9274