Electricity distribution prices are to increase in January for Caruna customers. Those supplied by Caruna Oy will see the cost of transfer rise 3.9 percent, while those served by Caruna Espoo will see a 2.9 percent increase.
"The reasons for the rise are increased costs associated with the central components [of our service]," said Jyrki Tammivuori of Caruna. "These are construction costs, for example aluminium, copper and steel. We are also affected by interest rates, electricity waste projects and increased operational costs. Reductions in usage payments to Fingrid were not enough to make up for the cost pressure."
Those living in apartment blocks will see the monthly cost rise by an average of 0.47 euros if they are a customer of Caruna Espoo and 1.08 euros if their transfer is handled by Caruna Oy, assuming annual usage of 2,000 kilowatt hours.
A detached house with electric heating would pay 1.94 euros more a month to Caruna Espoo, or 4.63 euros a month to Caruna, assuming annual consumption of 18,000 kilowatt hours.
Caruna estimates that inflation and cost increases will mean further rises in electricity bills for consumers in the second half of 2023.
The firm does not charge for the power it transmits, but for use of the electricity transmission infrastructure it controls. Customers buy electricity from energy firms via separate contracts.
Caruna Oy runs electricity power lines to around 484,000 customers in Central Uusimaa, western Uusimaa, south-west Finland, Ostrobothnia, Satakunta and north-east Finland.
Caruna Espoo has some 230,000 customers in Espoo, Joensuu, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi.
Caruna Oy has been among the most expensive power transfer firms in Finland, largely because it runs power lines to sparsely-populated rural areas.