According to data published by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), electricity prices for households increased in the first half of 2022 in all but five EU countries, including Poland, where electricity prices fell by 3%.

Electricity prices for households increased in 22 EU member states in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021. The largest increases were recorded in the Czech Republic (+6%), Latvia (+59%) and Denmark (+57%).

At the same time, Eurostat data shows that in five EU countries, the price of electricity fell during this period: in the Netherlands by 54 %, in Slovenia by 16 %, in Poland by 3 % and in Portugal and Hungary by 1 %. The price decreases in the Netherlands, Slovenia and Poland were related to subsidies and government support, while in Hungary prices are regulated.

Expressed in euro, average electricity prices for households in the first half of 2022 were lowest in the Netherlands (€5.9 per 100 kWh), Hungary (€9.5) and Bulgaria (€10.9), and highest in Denmark (€45.6), Belgium (€33.8), Germany (€32.8) and Italy (€31.2). In Poland, the price per 100 kWh was €14.6 during the period.

As Eurostat points out, energy costs are influenced by the current geopolitical situation and especially the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is driving the increases.

In the first half of 2022, average electricity prices for EU households increased compared to the same period in 2021, from €22.0 per 100 kWh to €25.3 per 100 kWh. Average gas prices also increased compared to the same period in 2021, from €6.4 per 100 kWh to €8.6 per 100 kWh in the first half of 2022.

Between the first half of 2021 and the first half of 2022, gas prices increased in 23 of the 24 EU Member States for which data is available. The price only fell slightly in Hungary.

Adrian Andrzejewski