Denmark’s average raw electricity price in September 2026 was the highest in almost four years, with the monthly average reaching DKK 1.07 per kWh east of the Great Belt and DKK 1.05 per kWh west of it.
DR reported on September 30 that no month since December 2022 has been as expensive for Danish electricity customers. The figures come from the energy companies OK and Norlys, which published them in press releases.
The raw price is the electricity price before VAT, taxes and grid tariffs. That means the figures describe the market price of power itself, not the full amount on a household bill.
Why prices rose in September
According to DR, the high level was driven partly by unrest around the Strait of Hormuz, which pushed gas prices upward. Limited electricity production from wind turbines and solar panels added to the pressure.
Troels Skipper, commercial director at OK, said there was not enough wind and sun in September to push prices down. As a result, the high gas price caused by geopolitical unrest set the direction for much of the month.
The month also brought sharp swings. On September 14, the hourly raw price hit its highest level in more than two years during the evening hours. Five days later, the price fell to zero across large parts of Denmark during the weekend of September 19 and 20.
Winter tariffs take effect October 1
DR also reported that most electricity companies switch to winter tariffs on October 1, which pushes the delivered price higher. Transporting power through the grid costs more in winter because the network is under greater pressure.
OK stressed that the bill will not end up larger for Danish consumers than last year. The company pointed to the 2026 reduction of the Danish electricity tax, the elafgift, to the EU minimum rate.
What the price spike means for internationals paying a Danish electricity bill
A Danish electricity bill has several layers. The raw price reported by OK and Norlys is only the market component, and on top of it come the grid tariff, the elafgift and 25 percent VAT. Denmark is also split into two price zones, DK1 west of the Great Belt and DK2 east of it, which is why September’s average differed by two øre between the two halves of the country.
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Residents on variable-price contracts, where the rate follows the hourly market, felt September’s swings most directly. Those on fixed-price contracts paid an agreed rate regardless of the daily market. For anyone budgeting around electricity costs, DR’s reporting shows both the peak on September 14 and the zero-price weekend of September 19 and 20 fell inside the same month.
The winter tariff change from October 1 applies to all customers connected to the Danish grid, regardless of nationality or contract type. OK’s statement that total bills will not exceed last year’s rests on the 2026 cut in the elafgift to the EU minimum rate, not on the market price falling.
