Expert: Electricity Bills Could Be 10,000 Kronor More Expensive This Winter

Swedish households may have to pay up to 10,000 kronor more for electricity this winter compared to last year. Low water levels, limited nuclear power production, and rising energy prices in Europe threaten to drive costs higher. According to an expert, all forecasts point to a significantly more expensive winter.

Already during the first half of 2026, electricity was over ten percent more expensive for Swedish consumers compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from SCB.

In September, there were also sharp price spikes, with the spot price in southern Sweden’s electricity area SE4 reaching nearly nine kronor per kilowatt hour during the most expensive quarter.

Marianne Andera, Chief Commercial Officer and electricity economy expert at energy technology company 1komma5, now warns that the situation could worsen during the winter months when demand for electricity increases.

– These spikes, the price surges, are something we need to get used to. This is a very clear pattern we are entering, she tells Expressen.

There are several interacting factors behind the expected price increases. Swedish hydropower reservoirs have lower levels than normal for the time of year, parts of the nuclear power plants are shut down for maintenance, and the uncertain global situation is affecting natural gas prices in Europe, which also has consequences for the Swedish electricity market.

Add to this the weather-dependent wind power, which Sweden has expanded significantly in recent years. During a cold and windless winter, when electricity demand is at its highest while wind power produces the least, several factors risk coming together to create a perfect storm in the electricity market.

For Some: 10,000 Kronor More

According to forecasts, electricity prices are expected to rise by around 15 percent compared to last winter. For a household with an annual consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours, this could, according to Marianne Andera, mean significant additional costs.

– We see a price increase of 15 percent compared to the same period last year. For a household with an annual consumption of 20,000 kWh, that corresponds to 5,000–10,000 kronor in higher electricity bills, she tells Expressen.

The government has previously promised a high-cost protection that will be activated if the average electricity price in an area exceeds 1.50 kronor per kilowatt hour.

According to Sveriges Radio Ekot, prices in southern Sweden have so far in October hovered around that level, but there is still no announcement that the support will be activated.