Lysaker, 23 July 2008 Nord Pool has received the following information from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE): Prices rising in the south of Norway - dropping in the rest of the Nordic area The elspot price for southern Norway increased by 1.2 øre from week 28. On average the price for this area was 29.5 øre/kWh in week 29. In the middle- and north of Norway prices increased by 3.9 and 3.1 øre respectively. The weekly average was 44.2 øre/kWh in Mid-Norway and 41.8 øre/kWh in North-Norway. In the last few weeks prices in the south of Norway has moved towards prices in the other Nordic elspot areas. However, prices in NO1 are still considerable lower than elsewhere in the Nordic area. There came a lot of snow in the mountains south in Norway this winter bringing high inflows in the melting period. Most of the snow has now melted. At he same time, export capacity out of the south of Norway has been increased as the Skagerrak cable is now in full operation. These factors has contributed to rising prices in the south of Norway. http://www.statnett.no Prognosis from Statnett>> ------------------------------- Contact person at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate: Marit L. Fossdal, NVE, phone: +47 2295 9353 Tor Arnt Johnsen, NVE, phone: +47 9302 4238