The shock forecast: The winter electricity bill could be 73 percent more expensive

Electricity prices in southern Sweden have risen sharply - and a price shock can await in the winter. The electricity bill for an average home owner in electricity area four can be 73 percent more expensive than last winter, shows a new forecast from Eon.

- It depends on a lot of things, unfortunately it's a perfect storm right now, says Anna Rylander, electricity price expert at Eon, about the rampant electricity prices.

Southern Sweden in particular stands out. A villa in electricity area four may have to pay around SEK 12,600 more for electricity during October to March than it did last winter.

The forecast is based on an estimated electricity consumption for a larger villa, with an annual electricity use of 20,000 kWh, and estimates of what the variable electricity price may end up at.

There are several reasons for the rising prices. Weak wind power production in northern Europe, limitations in nuclear power production and higher gas prices in Europe are some factors.

For many in electricity area four, the memory of the crisis winter of 2022-2023 remains, when the Ukraine war led to record high electricity prices. Now there could be even higher bills, if Eon's forecast comes true. It indicates that winter electricity prices in southern Sweden are expected to be 20 percent higher than then.

- We remember very well how hard it hit customers, and to now get indications that it could be another notch more expensive feels worrying, says Anna Rylander.

She points out that the calculation is based on many uncertain factors that can change - such as weather and wind, the nuclear power situation and the Iran war. But she describes the numbers as remarkable. Not least the big differences between northern and southern Sweden.

In Central Sweden, electricity area three, the cost is expected to increase by 47 percent compared to last winter. In northern Sweden, electricity areas one and two, around 10-12 percent higher prices are expected. Electricity area four is the only one where that cost is expected to be higher than during the crisis winter between 2022 and 2023.

The amounts on the electricity bills at the turn of the month November-December will look very different depending on where in the country they land in the mailbox.

- You can have exactly the same consumption in your villa but completely different electricity bills, says Anna Rylander.

Her advice to worried customers is to start by familiarizing yourself with what kind of electricity price agreement you have and then review what uses the most electricity in the home and how consumption can be reduced.

- In a villa, it is usually heat and hot water that are the big items. Take a shorter shower, lower the indoor temperature by one degree. If you charge an electric car at home, quarter price is good so that you ensure that you charge when it is cheapest, she says.

Anyone who is afraid of very high electricity bills can consider whether it is time to save for an electricity buffer, she suggests.

- If you feel very concerned about this and live on the edge, you can already contact the electricity company and see what solutions are available.