Sweden's cheapest summer electricity now comes in the daytime

Got a quarter-hour electricity contract? Run the washing machine in daylight, not overnight, this summer.

Summer sunshine has reversed Sweden's usual daily price pattern. Electricity is generally cheapest between 10:00 and 17:00 during the bright months, energy adviser Rasam Sheibeh told SVT. The daytime pattern is expected to last until around September, although prices and contract terms vary.

The timing only changes what you pay if your contract tracks the spot market by quarter-hour. Sheibeh said about 15 percent of Swedish households have such a contract. Customers on a monthly-price contract pay a monthly average, so moving laundry from night to day does not reduce the electricity price.

The energy regulator says quarter-hour customers can see the next day's spot prices before 13:00. Their price changes every 15 minutes, with the supplier's markup and VAT added.

Start by checking the contract name on your bill. If it says quarter-hour pricing, compare the next day's prices before scheduling laundry, dishwashing or electric-car charging. If it says monthly pricing, changing the time will not alter the energy price you pay.

DailySweden

DailySweden's desk of editors, reporters, researchers and investigative journalists. We bring readers factual, truthful and objective reporting on the issues that matter to them.

Contact the editorial desk ›