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Electricity has never been so expensive during a summer as this year.
Now experts warn of a price shock for the winter when Germany phases out Russian gas.
– That they have time to replenish their gas reserves is crucial, says Erik Ek, strategic operations manager at Svenska kraftnät.
On Monday, a gloomy record was broken for Swedish electricity consumers when the price of electricity rose to SEK 6 per kilowatt hour. It has never been this high before.
The reason is that Russia has temporarily shut down the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline, which supplies gas to several countries in Europe. According to experts, new price records are also expected in July.
But it can be even worse in the winter. At the same time as the cold and darkness are linking their grip on Europe, Germany and several other countries will phase out Russian gas.
Chopping sex on el
Simply explained, it will be a six-stroke on the electricity.
– There will be higher prices for electricity and it will also be felt here in Sweden. We are connected to Europe with large power cables, says Erik Ek, strategic operations manager at the state-owned company Svenska Kraftnät.
Sweden does not use very much gas, but is still affected.
– When the consumption of electricity increases, production will need to increase. Then you will need to extract gas to produce electricity. Gas is the most expensive type of energy and determines the price of all electricity, says Erik Ek.
The state agency is already working to review the supply of electricity for the winter months. Exactly what prices will land on is too early to say.
The price is decided in German rock rooms
In January, many households were shocked when the electricity bill for December came with record expensive electricity prices.
Is that what we have in front of us this winter as well?
– Yes, the conditions are largely the same as last winter and what happens in the next few months is crucial, says Erik Ek.
If electricity prices become even higher can largely be decided in German rock caverns.
– Now countries like Germany are pumping gas into large rock chambers that can be taken out for the winter. The crucial thing is whether they have time to fill them up. Otherwise, they risk ending the winter and it affects everyone, says Erik Ek.
Just keep your fingers crossed that the German government’s calls to save on gas will work. Among other things, the Germans are urged to take short showers to keep consumption down.
The expert: There is a risk of rationing
When or if Russia opens the gas tap after maintenance work also plays a role.
– There is a concern that Russia will not turn on the gas again after the maintenance, says Erik Ek.
He says that Svenska Kraftnät makes ongoing analyzes of the situation. An expert group including the other Nordic countries, the Baltic states and Poland has been appointed.
– One thing is that the prices of electricity will be very high, but will it be enough? We receive regular updates on what is happening, if there is gas, how full water reservoirs are and we work to have a high transmission capacity from northern Sweden and south.
Can there be talk of rationing?
– That risk always exists when you live in a country that can have such large temperature differences. We can have minus 20 degrees down in Skåne and the rest of the country and then the consumption will be higher than the electricity production that is in the country or what we can import. Then we have to adjust consumption.
Advice: Lower the heat
Erik Ek says that it is important that the industry cooperates and that electricity companies have a plan for how to act in the event of a shortage scenario.
– This is nothing new in itself, but the margins may be smaller than in previous years.
In the first place, it is industries that may adjust production if electricity prices rise – in the second place households.
How to act as an electricity consumer?
– If you have fixed agreements, you will not be affected by the super peaks. But when there are continuously high prices, then you are affected and then it is only a matter of reducing energy consumption, such as lowering the temperature in the home if you can.
Should you have an electric buffer to prepare for winter?
– I am an electric power engineer and know how to keep the power system reliable, but as a private person I would say that it is probably good with a buffer.