+(47) 23 89 88 63
Switching your electricity supplier in Norway is free, takes a few minutes and does not have to be complicated. This short guide explains your options and what you need before you switch.
Norway generates almost all of its electricity from renewable sources — around nine-tenths of it from hydropower, according to Energifakta Norge. The retail market is open: many electricity suppliers compete for households, and you are free to choose one and to switch whenever you want if the first choice does not suit you.
Choose the type of contract
Before you switch, decide which type of contract suits you. Norwegian suppliers offer three main types:
- Spot price (Spotpris) — you pay the market price on the Nord Pool power exchange hour by hour, plus a fixed mark-up (Påslag) and a monthly fee. Over time this is usually the cheapest option.
- Fixed price (Fastpris) — you pay the same price per kWh for an agreed period, typically one to three years. It gives predictability, but you may pay more than the market price when prices fall.
- Variable price (Variabel pris) — the supplier sets the price and can change it, but must notify you in advance. These contracts are often more expensive than spot price.
Whichever contract you choose, households can also sign up for the state's Norgespris — a fixed price of 50 øre/kWh including VAT — through Elhub. Norgespris does not replace your supplier contract: you still pay your supplier's mark-up and monthly fee, so the choice of supplier still matters. You can compare all contracts on the market on the Consumer Council's official portal strompris.no.
Read Also: SWITCHING ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS IN NORWAY: THE 400 NOK SHORTCUT
Gather the necessary information
To sign a new contract you will usually be asked for:
- your name and the address where you use the electricity,
- your invoicing address, if it differs from the delivery address,
- your Norwegian national identity number (Fødselsnummer) or D-number,
- your Målepunkt-ID (metering point ID, an 18-digit number shown on your electricity bill) or your meter number (Målernummer).
A national identity number is similar to a National Insurance number in the UK or a Social Security number in the US. If you cannot find your Målepunkt-ID, many suppliers can look it up from your address, and you can also see it after logging in to Elhub with BankID.
Read Also: PERSONAL FINANCE | 10 TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST CONSUMER LOAN RATE IN NORWAY
Switching supplier: the process
Once you have the information, switching is simple: contact the supplier you want to move to and sign a contract with them, usually online. A major advantage of the Norwegian system is that you do not have to cancel your current contract — the new supplier notifies the old one for you through Elhub. If your current contract has a fixed price or a lock-in period (Bindingstid), check its notice period and any early-termination fee first.
Do I need to read the meter?
Usually not. Since 2019 almost all Norwegian homes have smart meters (AMS), which send your consumption automatically to Elhub, hour by hour. Your new supplier receives the meter reading on the switch date without you doing anything. If you have an older meter, the supplier will ask you to send in a reading.
What if I am moving?
Order electricity for your new home in advance. If you move in without a contract, you are put on Leveringspliktig strøm — the supplier-of-last-resort tariff — which is usually considerably more expensive.
Read Also: ESTATE VALUATION SERVICE IN NORWAY | EVALUATE YOUR PROPERTY WITH LOCAL REALTOR BROKERAGES
Can you choose your grid company?
No. Choosing a supplier does not change where the power physically comes from. Suppliers buy electricity on the Nord Pool exchange and sell it to you, while the cables are owned by a local grid company (Nettselskap). Which grid company you have depends on your address, and you pay it grid rent (Nettleie) whichever supplier you choose.
Supplier prices are set freely in the market, which is why comparing offers pays off. Grid companies, by contrast, are natural monopolies and are regulated by the Norwegian Energy Regulatory Authority (RME/NVE), which caps how much they can earn. Suppliers' marketing and contract terms are supervised by the Consumer Authority (Forbrukertilsynet).
Read Also: PERSONAL FINANCE | THE EASIEST WAYS TO REFINANCE CONSUMER LOANS IN NORWAY
Switching your energy supplier in Norway
The Norwegian power system works differently from many other countries, but switching supplier is quick and free. Pick the type of contract that suits you, have your identity number and Målepunkt-ID ready, and let the new supplier handle the rest. You can find more guides in our energy in Norway section, and contact us if you have any questions.
