Informative Electricity Bills

Country / jurisdiction: Norway · Year: 2002 · Status: In force · Level: National · Type: Voluntary

A system of informative electricity bills was introduced in Norway in 2002. All customers expected to consume more than 8,000 kWh per year receive bills from the grid company for actual consumption. Customers previously paid on the basis of estimated consumption. In addition, the bill must show how the customers electricity consumption compares with the year before and specifies where advice on energy saving can be obtained. The aim is to make customers more aware of their electricity consumption. In recent years the time needed to change supplier has been reduced, and regulations of waiting tariffs have been introduced.

The rules above also applies to other private consumers who are not households, and not only to grid companies but also to power suppliers. Grid companies are not allowed to bill customers in advance. Power suppliers opportunity to bill in advance is limited to a maximum of 10 weeks between invoice due date and time of delivery.

Invoices from the grid company and the power supplier must be clear and easy to understand for the customer. The invoices must inter alia contain information on prices and volume consumed. It must be clearly stated on the invoice if consumption is stipulated.

The invoice for grid services must contain a graphical comparison of annual consumption of each settlement period with the corresponding period the previous year, and specify where advice on energy saving can be found. The aim is to make customers more aware of their electricity consumption.