Changes are taking place in the electricity market: from 1 October 2025 onwards, Finland – like the rest of Europe – will move to quarter-hour balancing. Nord Pool, the largest electricity exchange in the Nordics and Europe, will no longer publish only hourly average prices; instead, prices will be specified in 15-minute intervals. This means that consumers and businesses will see electricity prices in greater detail and can monitor their consumption to the nearest quarter of an hour.
In practice, once the transition phase ends in 2028, all electricity consumption will be recorded in 15-minute intervals. In Finland, some electricity users already have smart meters that support 15-minute readings.
The new quarter-hour pricing practice is not just a technical change – it is also an important part of Europe’s energy transition. The share of solar and wind power is growing steadily, and their production can vary rapidly. Quarter-hour electricity makes it possible to shift consumption more flexibly to times when electricity is available.
Not all Finnish consumers can yet benefit from quarter-hour pricing. If your meter cannot read consumption every 15 minutes, the price of your spot or demand response contract is still calculated based on hourly averages. This means you can only take advantage of quarter-hour electricity once your meter has been upgraded.
Maintaining and upgrading meters is the responsibility of your local electricity network company. Please contact your network company to ask about updating your meter.
If you notice that your meter is not quarter-hour compatible, you should contact your electricity network company. They can advise you on when your meter will be updated or how you can ensure you will get access to quarter-hour pricing.