It has been cold in large parts of the country and energy consumption has skyrocketed. For many, 2026 has started with high electricity bills. In January, the price of electricity was 50 percent higher than the market forecast from December. February also looks to be an expensive month.
When prices skyrocket, it is clearly felt by electricity companies, who, among other things, receive more questions about upcoming bills.
"We are seeing an increase in incoming calls to customer service. But generally, more people call about their invoices during the winter, not only this year when electricity prices are higher," Vattenfall writes in a comment.
Can pay in installments
If you receive a large invoice that you are having difficulty paying, you should contact Vattenfall quickly. Vattenfall offers its customers the option of paying the invoice in part or postponing it.
"To make it as good as possible for customers, it's good to think it through first and discuss the possibilities of postponing and paying in installments, and also plan for future invoices."
Eon also has a similar arrangement:
"We understand that the unusually high invoices that many customers have received may pose a financial challenge for some. Together we can review the possibility of an installment plan and try to find a solution that works in each individual situation," Eon states.
However, both Vattenfall and Eon are clear that invoices must be paid and that customers need to take this into account going forward.
Worried customers
In Norrland, the recent price increase has been particularly large, partly due to the new electricity cable between northern Sweden and Finland. In Finland, prices have been among the highest in Europe and electricity sent from Sweden to Finland has also driven up prices in Sweden.
Municipally owned Skellefteå Kraft is currently reviewing the possibility of offering customers different payment solutions.
"There are customers who express concerns about not being able to pay their invoices, and therefore we are now reviewing our options regarding different payment solutions," Skellefteå Kraft writes in an email.
