Spot price follows the market price of electricity hour by hour and is usually the cheapest over time. Fixed price gives you a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for an agreed period and more predictability, but usually costs a bit more. Which you should choose depends on whether you can tolerate price fluctuations.
What is the difference between spot price, fixed price and variable price?
The difference lies in how the price of the electricity itself is set. Spot price follows the market, fixed price is locked, and variable price is set by your company. All three are contracts for power – that is, the electricity you use. If you want to understand your entire electricity bill from the bottom, read the guide Electricity in Norway explained.
- Spot price (spot price contract): The price follows the market price on the Nord Pool electricity exchange, hour by hour. Norway is divided into five price areas (NO1–NO5), and the price can vary between them. With an hourly spot contract, you pay for your actual consumption hour by hour. On top of this, the company adds a surcharge (øre per kWh) and often a fixed fee (a fixed amount per month).
- Fixed price (fixed price contract): You get a fixed rate per kWh for an agreed period, for example 6, 12 or 36 months. The price does not change even if the market rises or falls. If you break the contract before the end, you may have to pay a termination fee.
- Variable price: The company sets the price itself and follows the market with a few weeks' delay. The company must notify you at least 30 days before a price increase, directly via SMS, email or letter (price information regulation § 22).
What does the electricity bill consist of?
The electricity bill has three parts: electricity (power), network charge and taxes. You only choose the first part yourself.
- Electricity (power): The actual electricity you buy. Here you can freely choose between spot price, fixed price or variable price, and you can switch electricity supplier whenever you want.
- Network charge: What you pay to the network company to have the electricity transported to your home. The network company is a local monopoly where you live. You cannot choose or switch your network charge – it follows your address. See how it is structured in the guide on electricity and network charge in Norway.
- Taxes: Electricity tax (consumption tax on electrical power) is 7.13 øre per kWh in 2026, plus 25% value-added tax (VAT). Households in Northern Norway (Nordland, Troms and Finnmark) do not pay VAT on electricity, and households in the intervention zone (Finnmark and seven municipalities in North Troms) do not pay electricity tax.
Because network charges and taxes are the same regardless of which electricity contract you choose, it is only the power part you can affect by switching contracts.
How electricity support works in 2026
Electricity support covers 90% of the spot price exceeding 77 øre per kWh (without VAT) in a month, effective from 1 January 2026. The threshold was raised from 75 to 77 øre at the New Year.
The state always calculates the support based on the spot price in your price area, regardless of which contract you have. This means you get electricity support even on a fixed price contract or variable contract – the support is calculated on the spot price, not the price you actually pay. The network company deducts the support from your bill. The scheme applies to the first 5,000 kWh per month per metering point. Electricity support is an important reason why spot price rarely becomes very expensive: the highest price peaks are automatically reduced.
What is Norgespris?
Norgespris is a fixed, state electricity price of 40 øre per kWh without VAT (50 øre with VAT in most of the country). The scheme started 1 October 2025.
You can choose Norgespris instead of a regular electricity contract. Network charge, taxes and any surcharge come on top. You register via minside.elhub.no with electronic ID, for example BankID. The price is fixed until 31 December 2026 and is adjusted 1 January 2027. The scheme applies to residential properties (up to 5,000 kWh per month) and cottages (up to 1,000 kWh per month).
Important: You cannot have both Norgespris and regular electricity support for the same metering point. If you choose Norgespris, it replaces electricity support. Norgespris is therefore a safe fixed price from the state, but you give up the chance to benefit from low spot prices.
Spot price or fixed price – what should you choose?
For most households, spot price is the cheapest over time, and electricity support dampens the worst price peaks. Fixed price is best if you want a predictable bill and are willing to pay a bit more for peace of mind. The Consumer Council recommends most people a spot price contract, and advises against fixed price contracts longer than one year.
| Contract type | How the price is set | Predictability | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot price | Follows the market hour by hour (Nord Pool) + surcharge and fixed fee | Low – varies hour by hour | Most people who can tolerate fluctuations and want the lowest price over time |
| Fixed price | Fixed øre per kWh for 6–36 months | High – same price for the whole period | Those who want a predictable bill and fixed budget |
| Variable price | The company sets the price, follows the market with delay | Medium – changes with 30 days' notice | Few – often more expensive than spot price |
| Norgespris | State fixed price, 40 øre per kWh without VAT | High – fixed until 31.12.2026 | Those who want a safe state fixed price (replaces electricity support) |
In short:
- Choose spot price if you can tolerate your bill fluctuating from month to month and want to pay as little as possible over time.
- Choose fixed price if a fixed, predictable bill is more important to you than saving a few kroner.
- Consider Norgespris if you want a safe state price and do not want to follow the market.
Watch out for contracts with high surcharges
The biggest price differences between spot contracts lie in the surcharge and fixed fee, not in the spot price itself. Two companies can have almost the same spot price but completely different total prices. Therefore, you should always compare the full price.
- Compare contracts on strompris.no, the official price portal run by the Consumer Council. Everyone who sells electricity to households must register their prices there.
- Watch out for high surcharges and high fixed fees or monthly charges – they quickly eat up the benefit of a low spot price.
- Be sceptical of teaser offers where the price is low at first but jumps up after a short period.
- Do not buy electricity over the phone, door to door or on the street. Such contracts are often expensive and poor quality.
- The company must state surcharge, fixed fee and charges with VAT in marketing (price information regulation § 20). If the information is missing, it is a warning sign.
Choosing the right electricity contract is part of getting personal finances in order in Norway. If you want to set up safe payment of your bill, you can read about eInvoice and Direct Debit. If you are brand new to the country, the checklist for your first week on SamfunnPrep helps you get started with electricity, bank and the population register.
How electricity, taxes and consumer rights work is also part of the knowledge many need for the society test. On SamfunnPrep you can practise for free.
