What Is Nord Pool?
Nord Pool is the shared electricity exchange for the Nordic and Baltic countries. Electricity is traded here as a commodity, just like oil or metals. The price is set by supply and demand — every hour, every day.
Why Does the Price Vary So Much?
Electricity prices are influenced by several factors that can change rapidly:
- Weather: Cold weather increases demand for heating. A warm, sunny day significantly reduces demand.
- Wind and solar power: More renewable output pushes prices down. A calm, cloudy, windless day leads to higher prices.
- Hydropower: Nordic hydropower is crucial. Low reservoir levels in winter drive prices sharply higher.
- Fuel costs: Natural gas prices indirectly affect electricity prices, since gas plants set the marginal price in Europe.
- Grid capacity: Limited cable capacity between price zones can create large regional price differences.
Spot Price vs. Fixed Price
With a variable electricity contract, you pay the market's hourly spot price. This means you can benefit from cheap hours — but you're also exposed to expensive periods. With a fixed contract you know exactly what you pay, but you miss the discounts when the market falls.
How to Read the Spot Price Correctly
SpotPris shows the Nord Pool price in öre/kWh excluding VAT, grid fees, and the supplier's markup. This is the raw exchange price. Your actual invoice price is higher — often 2–3 times the spot price once all fees are included.
Practical Impact
The difference between an expensive and a cheap day can be 5–10 times in price. If you plan your laundry, dishwasher, or EV charging for the right hours, you can save hundreds of kronor per year. SpotPris makes it easy to see when it pays to wait.