Bulgaria has the second lowest household electricity prices in the EU

In the second half of 2023, average household electricity prices in the EU decreased (€28.5 per 100 kWh) compared to the first half (€29.4 per 100 kWh), but also slightly increased compared to the second half of 2022. (€28.4 per 100 kWh). The price of energy, supply costs and price, stabilized in the first half of 2023, then weakened in the second half, still remaining at high levels compared to the levels before the price peak in 2022.

Average household gas prices in the second half of 2023 decreased (€11.3 per 100 kWh) compared to the first half of 2023 (€11.9 per 100 kWh) and the second half of 2022 (11, 4 euros per 100 kWh). The decline in energy, supply and network costs, which began as early as the first half of 2023, continued its downward trend.

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For non-household consumers, this reduction was more pronounced.

This information comes from electricity and gas price data recently published by Eurostat. The article presents several findings from Statistics Explained’s more detailed articles on electricity prices and natural gas prices.

Graphics: Eurostat

Electricity prices fell in 13 EU countries in the second half of 2023

The data also shows that electricity prices for households fell in 13 EU countries and rose in the rest in the second half of 2023 compared to the second half of 2022. For non-household consumers, prices in the second half of 2023 are decreased across 17 countries, leading to a 4.6% decline in the EU. The reduction in prices was the result of market dynamics, but was partially offset by the reduction or elimination of consumer relief measures at national level.

During the period from January to June 2023, electricity prices for households in Bulgaria were the second lowest in the EU – 11.9 euros per 100 kWh, and it was cheaper only in Hungary (11.3 euros per 100 kWh).

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Presented in the respective national currencies of the member countries, the Netherlands (+86%), followed by the Czech Republic (+83%), Poland (+35 %) and Germany (+20%).

At the other end of the scale, electricity prices fell the most in Denmark (-39%), Spain (-30%) and Sweden (-20%) over the same period.

Expressed in euros, average household electricity prices in the second half of 2023 were lowest in Hungary (11.3 euros per 100 kWh), Bulgaria (11.9 euros per 100 kWh) and Malta (12.8 euro per 100 kWh) and highest in Germany (€40.2 per 100 kWh), Ireland (€37.9 per 100 kWh) and Belgium (€37.8 per 100 kWh).

Natural gas prices

Graphics: Eurostat

Natural gas prices: biggest increase in Lithuania and biggest decrease in Greece

Residential gas prices declined in the second half of 2023, driven mostly by lower energy costs. However, taxes are gradually returning to pre-crisis levels after the cuts in 2022. For non-household consumers, price cuts were more evident in the second half of 2023.

Relative to the second half of 2022, in the second half of 2023 gas prices (expressed in national currencies) increased the most in Lithuania (+68%) and decreased the most in Denmark (-39% ). For domestic consumers, a total of 12 countries reported an increase, while the remaining 12 gas users reported a decrease in prices. In the industrial sector, all but three EU countries reported declines, indicating a clear downward trend in gas price levels.

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The sharpest increases in gas prices were reported by Poland (+32%), Slovakia and Germany (+22% each), while Greece (-42%), Denmark (-41%) and Bulgaria (-40%) were with the biggest reductions in blue fuel prices in the second half of last year on an annual basis.

In the first half of last year, expressed in euros, average household gas prices were lowest in Hungary (3.3 euros per 100 kWh), Croatia (4.6 euros) and Romania (5.6 euros) and highest in Sweden (€20.7), Ireland (€16.4). ) and the Netherlands (€24.8).