Electricity contract · KNOWLEDGE GUIDE

Why do electricity trading companies exist – and what do they do for you?

Understand the purchase, price risk and fees. Then use the same basis when you compare two electricity contracts.

Green Hero editorial · 3 min reading
Updated October 26, 2026

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN ONE MINUTE

You choose an electricity trading company and how the market price should affect your contract.
Compare calculation model, fees and conditions together.
A change of provider does not change which network company you have.

The contract for the electricity you buy

The electricity trader sells electricity to you according to an electricity trading agreement. You can choose the company and type of contract. The grid company transports the electricity to the home, which is a separate agreement, even if the costs are sometimes billed together.

When assessing an offer, start with what you are actually buying. Is it a fixed price for a period, a monthly price, a price per 15-minute interval, or a combination? A word such as “variable” can otherwise suggest different calculation methods.

Source material: Ei: electricity trading agreement ↗ · Energy Market Agency: the electricity bill ↗

Different agreements give different price risk

A fixed-price contract sets an energy price for the agreed period. Monthly variable pricing and quarter-hour pricing follow the market in different ways. With quarter-hour pricing, the timing of your consumption is directly linked to the price for that 15-minute interval.

A household budget and a price forecast are different things. You may want to prioritize predictability even if you can control some usage. Therefore, write down both what you can move and how large swings you are comfortable with before choosing.

Source material: Energy Market Agency: review your electricity contract ↗ · Ei: could quarter-hour pricing suit you? ↗

The fees must be included in the comparison

Use the same amount of electricity and the same VAT basis in your options. Include fixed fees and the variable components that the contract states. A low markup does not alone tell what the total cost will be.

As a separate calculation example, SEK 39 in monthly fee corresponds to SEK 468 in one year. Divided by 2,000 kWh it becomes 23.4 öre/kWh, and divided by 20,000 kWh it becomes 2.34 öre/kWh. The same fee is weighted differently for different homes.

Source material: Energy Market Agency: the electricity bill ↗ · Ei: electricity contracts with quarter-hour pricing ↗

Check what happens after the campaign

Note when a discount ends, what price applies thereafter and if the agreement is extended. Check both the binding period and the notice period. Ask for the terms in writing so you can go back to the same document.

Binding period and notice period mean different things. Ei states that a break fee may only be charged under certain conditions for fixed-term contracts with a fixed price component. A period of notice does not in itself imply a right to a break fee.

Source material: Ei: electricity trading agreement ↗ · Ei: switching and breaking fees ↗

Make a trade that you can follow

Check the end date of your current contract and the start date of the new one. Save the confirmation, the price information and any written termination. If someone helps you with the change, you still need to understand what the help includes.

Feel free to create a simple comparison with three lines: estimated electricity price, fixed charges and important conditions. Put services like app or control on a separate line, so you see what's included without confusing features and cost.

Source material: The Swedish Consumer Agency: your electricity contract ↗ · Ei: switching and breaking fees ↗

TRY YOURSELF · CALCULUS EXAMPLE

See how a flat fee affects.

Try a monthly consumption, an electricity trade price and a fixed fee.

Immerse Yourself

FAQ.

Is lowest markup always cheapest?

Nope. Fixed charges, other price components and your usage also play a role. Compare the same period and amount of electricity.

Can I switch without reading the old agreement?

Check it first. A switch that starts too early may have consequences depending on the terms of the current agreement and applicable rules.

FROM KNOWLEDGE TO EVERYDAY

Your next step.

Write down the current contract type and end date.
Compare the same annual consumption and the same cost elements.
Save offer, terms and confirmed start date.

Checklist not saved. Use it as support when you go through your home and your contracts.

Sources and further reading.

The material was checked on 26 October 2026. Follow the links for current terms and conditions.

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