We are transitioning to a 15-minute electricity market
Starting October 1, 2025, the electricity market across the EU will begin pricing electricity in 15-minute intervals.
For customers of Vaasan Sähkö, quarter-hour pricing is applied to the contracts no earlier than November 1. This change only affects customers whose electricity contract’s pricing is based on the electricity exchange (spot pricing). For those contracts the terms are updated from November 1.
On this page, we have compiled answers to frequently asked questions on the topic.
Summary of the change
Starting in October, Finland’s electricity market will quote spot prices every 15 minutes instead of hourly. The change will occur simultaneously across the EU and aims to make the electricity market more precise and flexible.
This change does not require any action from our customers.
Frequently asked questions on the subject
General questions
How does 15-minute pricing differ from hourly pricing?
The so-called spot price on the electricity exchange varies in 15-minute intervals instead of hourly.
Is the change mandatory for all customers?
Yes. Finland will transition to a 15-minute electricity market on October 1. Those of our customers whose product is fully or partially based on exchange pricing, will also have their contract switch to 15-minute pricing. Since the change requires an update of our terms, this will happen no earlier than November 1.
15-minute pricing affects the following consumer contracts:
- Exchange Electricity
- Exchange Electricity Wind Power
- Influencer (the Own influence price component will be based on spot prices determined in 15-minute intervals starting November 1; the fixed component remains unchanged)
- Surplus electricity sales
My electricity meter does not support 15-minute metering – how is my consumption divided?
If your meter does not support 15-minute metering, your hourly consumption will be evenly divided into four 15-minute periods. Example: if you consume 4 kWh in one hour, the system will allocate 1 kWh to each 15-minute period.
Electricity network companies must replace old meters with devices that measure consumption in 15-minute time-periods by the end of 2028. The replacement schedule varies by network company. Once your meter is replaced, you will automatically be included in 15-minute metering. However, even if your meter measures consumption by the hour, you can still have an electricity contract based on spot pricing.
How is the electricity spot price displayed in different places?
Until the end of October 2025, the electricity spot price is shown as a 60-minute average price in the Vaasan Sähkö mobile app and Online service. Starting from 1 November, we will transition to 15-minute pricing, and from then on, both our app and Online service will display spot prices in 15-minute intervals.
You can see the real-time 15-minute spot price in the header of our website. Our Smart Home app also displays 15-minute prices.
In Fingrid’s Tuntihinta app, you can check the spot prices with an accuracy of either 15 minutes or as an hourly average.
Contracts and billing
Does the transition to 15-minute pricing affect electricity prices or billing?
The change itself does not affect electricity prices. Exchange electricity customers will see spot prices in 15-minute intervals.
Starting November 1, spot prices and commission fees will be itemized separately on the invoices for our Exchange Electricity and small-scale production contracts.
Exchange electricity customers who do not yet have a meter that supports 15-minute metering will continue to receive consumption data with hourly accuracy. Billing is based on the electricity exchange’s 15-minute prices, and hourly consumption will be evenly divided into four quarters.
Which consumer electricity contract types are affected by 15-minute metering?
15-minute pricing affects the following contracts:
- Exchange Electricity – price is determined in 15-minute intervals from November 1 at the earliest.
- Exchange Electricity Wind – price is determined in 15-minute intervals from November 1 at the earliest.
- Influencer – the Own influence price component will be based on spot prices determined in 15-minute intervals from November 1 at the earliest; the fixed component remains unchanged.
- Sale of surplus electricity – compensation for solar electricity determined in 15-minute intervals from November 1 at the earliest.
Other consumer contracts are not affected by 15-minute pricing.
If your electricity meter supports 15-minute metering, you will see your electricity consumption in 15-minute intervals in the Vaasan Sähkö app and online service starting November 1, regardless of your contract. The same detailed consumption data is also available in Fingrid’s Datahub customer portal.
How does the change affect corporate customers?
The change affects our corporate customers whose product is fully or partially based on exchange pricing. The change takes effect no earlier than November 1.
Technical questions about 15-minute metering
Where can I view my consumption data?
You can view consumption data for your places of use in the Vaasan Sähkö app and online service.
If your electricity meter supports 15-minute metering, you will see your electricity consumption in 15-minute intervals in the app and online service starting November 1. The same data is also available in Fingrid’s Datahub customer portal.
My electricity meter does not yet support 15-minute metering. Do I need to replace it?
You do not need to replace your meter yourself. Your electricity network company will take care of it in due time. Network companies have until the end of 2028 to replace meters with 15-minute capable ones. The replacement schedule varies by network company. Almost all Vaasan Sähköverkko customers already have 15-minute capable meters.
If your meter does not support 15-minute metering and you have a product based on exchange pricing, your hourly consumption will be evenly divided into four 15-minute segments. Example: if you consume 4 kWh in one hour, the system will allocate 1 kWh to each 15-minute period.