Guide
Spot price electricity 2026
On a spot contract you pay the market price for electricity. Learn how it works, compare margins, and find the best spot contract.
Compare spot contracts
Find the contract with the lowest margin
Savings potential
Often the cheapest option in the long run for flexible consumers.
Hourly prices
Price varies hourly - you can time consumption to the cheapest hours.
Price variation
Prices can spike on cold days - be prepared for variation.
Spot price right now
The spot price of electricity varies hourly. You can follow today's and tomorrow's hourly prices on our electricity price page. Next-day prices are published every day around 1-2 PM, so you can plan your consumption around the cheapest hours.
In 2026, the average price of electricity has varied significantly month to month. Summer months have typically averaged below 5 cents/kWh, while the coldest winter months have exceeded 10 cents/kWh. On an annual basis the spot average has nevertheless stayed cheap compared with fixed contracts.
How does spot pricing work?
On a spot contract, the electricity price is determined hourly on the Nordic power exchange (Nord Pool). The price depends on supply and demand - when consumption is high and production low, the price rises. On windy and sunny days with abundant renewable production, prices fall and can even go negative.
What makes up the spot price:
- Spot price - Market price from the power exchange (varies hourly)
- Margin - Provider markup (0.25-0.99 cents/kWh)
- Monthly fee - Fixed fee (0-5.99 €/mo)
- Distribution - Grid operator fee (not comparable)
- Taxes - Electricity tax and VAT
Spot vs fixed electricity contract
Spot and fixed electricity contracts differ significantly. The comparison below helps you see which suits you better.
| Feature | Spot | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Varies hourly | Same throughout the contract |
| Risk | Risk of price spikes | No price risk |
| Flexibility | No commitment | Fixed-term (1-3 yrs) |
| Suitability | Active, flexible consumers | Those who value predictability |
| Long-term price | Often cheaper | Contains a risk premium |
Read more about the fixed option in our fixed electricity contract guide.
Who is spot pricing for?
Spot pricing especially suits:
- Flexible consumers who can time consumption to cheaper hours
- Electric vehicle owners - nighttime charging is often a fraction of daytime rates
- Heat pump and accumulating heating users who can store heat
- Active users who want to follow prices and optimize consumption
- Small consumers whose bill doesn't grow much even during price spikes
How to save on spot pricing
You get the most out of spot pricing by timing the biggest loads to the cheapest hours. Here are five practical tips:
- Run laundry and dishwasher at night - Start machines on a timer between 1 AM and 5 AM, when electricity is typically cheapest.
- Charge your EV overnight - Schedule charging to start late at night. Night electricity can be up to ten times cheaper than the evening peak.
- Use accumulating heating - If you have accumulating electric heating or a hot water tank, charge them during cheap hours.
- Follow next-day prices - Prices are published in the afternoon around 1-2 PM. Plan the next day's consumption ahead of time.
- Use smart timers - Many providers offer an app that automates device control based on spot price.
Risks of spot pricing
The biggest risk of spot pricing is price variation. On cold winter days, prices can spike sharply for a few hours. On the other hand, summer and night prices are often very low. The risk can be managed:
- By timing the biggest loads to cheaper hours
- By choosing a contract with a price cap
- By keeping a backup heater (wood, fireplace) as a fallback
- By following price forecasts and preparing for cold spells
Spot margin comparison
On spot contracts, the decisive price difference comes from margin and monthly fee. Below is a comparison of provider spot contracts:
| Provider | Margin | Monthly fee |
|---|---|---|
| Helen | 0.00 cents/kWh | 3.98 €/mo |
| Cheap Energy | 0.39 cents/kWh | 4.90 €/mo |
| Hehku | 0.39 cents/kWh | 4.50 €/mo |
| Nordic Green Energy | 0.48 cents/kWh | 2.99 €/mo |
| Väre | 0.49 cents/kWh | 4.96 €/mo |
| Greenely | 0.49 cents/kWh | 5.99 €/mo |
| Vihreä Älyenergia | 0.54 cents/kWh | 4.48 €/mo |
| Aalto Energia | 0.54 cents/kWh | 0.00 €/mo |
| Fortum | 0.59 cents/kWh | 5.99 €/mo |
| Oomi | 0.60 cents/kWh | 4.96 €/mo |
The smallest margin doesn't always mean the cheapest contract - consider the monthly fee too. For a small consumer a low monthly fee can matter more than a low margin.
Frequently asked questions
What does spot price electricity mean?
On a spot contract you pay the hourly varying market price (spot price) for electricity. The provider's margin and a possible monthly fee are added to the price.
Is spot pricing cheaper than fixed?
Over the long run spot pricing is often cheaper, but prices can vary significantly in the short term. Flexible consumers benefit the most.
How is the spot price determined?
The price is determined on the Nordic power exchange Nord Pool based on supply and demand. Prices are published a day in advance.
What is the spot margin?
The margin is the provider's markup on the spot price. It typically varies between 0.25-0.99 cents/kWh. A monthly fee is often charged on top.
When is spot pricing cheapest?
Spot pricing is typically cheapest at night between 1 AM and 6 AM, on weekends and in summer. It is most expensive on weekday mornings from 7 AM to 9 AM and evenings from 5 PM to 8 PM, especially during cold winter days.
How do I follow the spot price?
Next-day hourly prices are published every day around 1-2 PM. You can follow prices on Sopimusvahti's electricity price page or in your provider's mobile app.
Is there a price cap on spot pricing?
The Nord Pool spot price has a technical cap (€4,000/MWh, i.e. 400 cents/kWh), but such high prices have not been seen in Finland in practice. Some providers offer contracts with their own price cap.
How do I switch to spot pricing?
Compare spot contracts in Sopimusvahti's price comparison, pick the contract with the lowest margin and sign up with the provider. The new provider handles cancelling the old contract.