About the statistics

1. Administrative information

1.1. Name

Electric energy prices

1.2. Subject group

10.08.10 - Electricity, gas, steam and hot water supply

1.3. Frequency and timeliness

Quarterly

1.4. Regional level

Only national level.

1.5. Responsible division

215 - Division for energy and environmental statistics

1.6. Legal authority

The Statistic Act §2-2 and 2-3

1.7. Legal document(EU)

Directive 90/377/EEC

1.8. International reporting

Half-yearly statistics delivered according to Directive 90/377/EEC.

2. Background and purpose

2.1. Purpose and history

The statistics for prices of electric energy is a quarterly statistics covering prices in the end-user market and wholesale market with information about the factual development of the prices of electric energy. The statistics was started the first quarter of 1998. The measuring period was only one day per quarter then. From the second quarter 1998 the measuring period was increased to one week in the middle of the quarter, in addition to a change in the questionnaire used for collecting data. In the first quarter of 2012 the measuring period was extended to cover the whole quarter. In addition som changes were made in the household fixed price contracts.

2.2. Users and applications

The statistics are used by the public authorities to follow the development in the market for electric energy. Some electricity plants use the statistics for prices of electric energy when they set their own prices. The information is also used internally by Statistics Norway in the national account and the producer price index.

3. Statistics production

3.1. Population

The survey includes some of the electricity plants in the electricity supply. In Norway there are about 340 electricity plants.

3.2. Data sources

Own survey for quarterly electricity prices.

3.3. Sampling

The statistics are made from information from a sample of about 40 electricity plants in the wholesale market and 45 electricity plants in the end-user market. The sample is made to cover as good as possible both large and small electricity plants, different geographical areas, and different consumer groups the electricity plants sell electricity to. About 16 per cent of the units of the population are included in the sample, but because the largest companies are included the ratio of the total quantity is about 60 per cent.

3.4. Collection of data

The questionnaires are sent by mail and e-mail, and received by mail, e-mail and fax. The ratio using e-mail is increasing. Reminders are done by e-mail and phone.

3.5. Control and revision

Maximum and minimum values are controlled. To some extent the figures are also compared with previous reported data for each of the electricity plants. Decimal- and thousand separators and denomination are controlled thorough. The prices are compared with the spot prices of electricity at Nord Pool ASA and Norwegian Competition Authority's overview of prices of electricity for households. Reported quantities are somethimes compared with reported quantities in the yearly electricity statistics.

3.6. Estimation

Missing questionnaires are not imputated. Quantities sold and average prices are collected for different types of contracts and consumer groups. Weighted average prices and measures of dispersion are made from this.

3.7. Confidentiality

Not relevant.

4. Concepts, variables and classifications

4.1. Definitions of the main concepts and variables

Prices of electric energy exclusive of public taxes (user tax on electricity and value added tax) and exclusive of grid rent. This is explained in more detail in the annotations in the tables. The statistics then only covers the part of the electricity supply exposed for competition.

4.2. Standard classifications

The standard for sector classification (NACE) is used when dividing prices between the electricity consumer groups. It is also split between different types of contracts for buying and selling electricity.

This division is found in the tables of the statistics.

5. Sources of error and uncertainty

5.1. Measurement and processing errors

The prices are supposed to be reported without public taxes. If someone don't know this the prices can be too high. But the prices are also supposed to be reported inclusive of possible fixed part of the price. If someone don't know this the prices can be too low.

There are some wrong reporting due to wrong denomination. But this is often obviously and are corrected during revision.

5.2 Non-response errors

Missing questionnaires are not imputated.

5.3. Sampling errors

Not relevant.

5.4. Other sources of error

Not relevant.

6. Comparability and coherence

6.1. Comparability over time and space

The quarterly statistics for electricity prices was started the 1st quarter 1998. It was a change in the questionnaire from the 1st to the 2nd quarter that year. After that there are no changes in the statistics until 1st quarter 2012. From 1st quarter 2012 and onwards the measuring periode increased from one week in the midle of each quarter to covering the whole quarter.

6.2. Coherence with other statistics

Internally the statistics is used in the quarterly national account and in the producer price index. The statistics is also used to calculate half-yearly electricity prices reported to Eurostat. Preliminary yearly average prices are calculated from the quarterly statistics. Final figures are published in the yearly electricity statistics that collects data from another data collection.

7. Availability

Prices of electric energy

7.1. Publications and other links

Not relevant.

7.2. Microdata

The data is stored in Excel-files, one file per quarter.


2012 © Statistics Norway