Wholesale electricity prices in the European Union (EU) increased in 2024 after recovering from the global energy crisis in 2023. This was the result of a myriad of factors, including increased demand in the “post-pandemic” economic recovery, a rise in natural gas and coal prices, and a decline in renewable power generation due to low wind speeds and drought. Nuclear power's critical role In 2023, nuclear and wind were among the leading sources of electricity generation in the EU, accounting for more than one-third of the output. Nuclear energy continues to play a crucial role in the European Union's electricity mix, generating approximately 619 terawatt-hours in 2023, which accounted for about 20 percent of the region's power production. However, the future of nuclear power in Europe is uncertain, with some countries like Germany phasing out their nuclear plants while others maintain their reliance on this energy source. The varied approaches to nuclear power across EU member states contribute to the differences in electricity prices and supply stability throughout the region.

Renewable energy's growing impact As Europe strives to decarbonize its energy sector, renewable sources are gaining prominence. Wind power in Europe, in particular, has seen significant growth, with installed capacity in Europe reaching 257.1 gigawatt hours in 2023. This expansion of renewable energy infrastructure is gradually reshaping the electricity market, potentially leading to more stable prices in the long term. However, the intermittent nature of some renewable sources, such as wind and solar, can still contribute to price fluctuations, especially during periods of low output.

Germany, Belgium, and Ireland had some of the highest household electricity prices worldwide, as of June 2024. At the time, German households were charged around 0.39 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour, while in Belgium, the price stood at 0.37 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, in Qatar, residents paid more than 10 times less. What is behind electricity prices? Electricity prices vary widely across the world and sometimes even within a country itself, depending on factors like infrastructure, geography, and politically determined taxes and levies. For example, in Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden, taxes constitute a significant portion of residential end-user electricity prices. Reliance on fossil fuel imports Meanwhile, thanks to their great crude oil and natural gas production output, countries like Iran, Qatar, and Russia enjoy some of the cheapest electricity prices in the world. Here, the average household pays less than 0.1 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. In contrast, countries heavily reliant on fossil fuel imports for electricity generation are more vulnerable to market price fluctuations. The top importers of natural gas in Europe in 2023 were Germany and Italy, where this energy source constitutes a relevant share of the power mix.

This dataset provides values for ELECTRICITY PRICE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In 2022, Denmark recorded the highest residential electricity price for users with an annual consumption of 1,000 to 2,500 kilowatt-hours within Europe, at 54.47 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. This was followed by Belgium, at 41.1 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. That same year, Denmark also had the highest electricity price for households with an annual consumption between 2,500 and 5,000 kilowatt-hours, at 52.15 euro cents per kilowatt-hour.

This dataset provides values for ELECTRICITY PRICE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

European Union - Electricity prices: Medium size households was EUR0.29 Kilowatt-hour in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for European Union - Electricity prices: Medium size households - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, European Union - Electricity prices: Medium size households reached a record high of EUR0.29 Kilowatt-hour in December of 2023 and a record low of EUR0.17 Kilowatt-hour in December of 2010.

In 2023, Cyprus recorded the highest electricity prices for non-household consumers with an annual consumption of 20,000 to 70,000 megawatt-hours in the European Union, at 26.9 euro cents per kilowatt-hour. Meanwhile, Hungary was the country with the highest electricity price for non-household consumers with an annual consumption between 500 and 2,000 megawatt-hours.

Germany Electricity decreased 21.39 EUR/MWh or 18.48% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Germany Electricity Price.

In most European cities, energy prices constituted the main share of the residential end-user electricity price in February 2024. Energy price shares are among the highest in the capital cities of Cyprus, Malta, and Ireland, which are largely reliant on energy imports. Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Brussels account for the largest share of energy taxes in the region. In the Danish capital, for instance, energy taxes -including VAT- represented 47 percent of the residential electricity price. Household electricity prices around the world Italy and Germany have some of the highest electricity prices in the world. Heavily reliant on natural gas imports, these two countries were profoundly stricken by the 2022 energy crisis. Overall, Western Europe is the most expensive region for household power purchases, while many large energy producing countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia offer their residents the cheapest average rates. Heating gas prices in European cities In terms of residential use gas prices in Europe, Stockholm was the most expensive city in January 2024. Inhabitants of Sweden's capital paid for gas nearly 40 percent more than consumers in Bern, Switzerland, which ranked second. Imports dominate Sweden's gas supply.

Energy Prices In the Euro Area decreased to 150.70 points in February from 151.16 points in January of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Euro Area Energy Prices.

This dataset provides values for ELECTRICITY PRICE reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Table comparing electricity prices per kWh and their annual changes in France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, highlighting the variations across European countries. Source: Eurostat.

This table contains consumer prices for electricity and gas. Weighted average monthly prices are published broken down into transport rate, delivery rates and taxes, both including and excluding VAT. These prices are published on a monthly basis. The prices presented in this table were used to compile the CPI up to May 2023. Prices for newly offered contracts were collected. Contract types that are no longer offered, but have been in previous reporting periods, are imputed. The average can therefore diverge from the prices paid for energy contracts by Dutch households. Data available from January 2018 up to May 2023. Status of the figures: The figures are definitive. Changes as of 17 July 2023: This table will no longer be updated. Due to a change in the underlying data and accompanying method for calculcating average energy prices, a new table was created. See paragraph 3. Changes as of 13 February: Average delivery rates are not shown in this table from January 2023 up to May 2023. With the introduction of the price cap, the average energy rates (delivery rates) of fixed and variable energy contracts together remained useful for calculating a development for the CPI. However, as a pricelevel, they are less useful. Average energy prices from January 2023 up to May 2023 are published in a customized table. In this publication, only data concerning new variable contracts are taken into account When will new figures be published? Does not apply.

Italy Electricity decreased 10.78 EUR/MWh or 7.83% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Italy Electricity Price.

Spain Electricity decreased 81.27 EUR/MWh or 59.82% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Spain Electricity Price.

In the second half of 2023, the electricity prices for household end users (including taxes, levies, and VAT) in the European Union decreased by around one euro cent per kilowatt-hour compared to the previous half of the year. In 2022, the electricity prices in the European Union reached a peak of approximately 29.37 euro cents per kilowatt-hour.The prices include electricity/basic price, transmission, system services, meter rental, distribution and other services.

France Electricity decreased 6.42 EUR/MWh or 9.19% since the beginning of 2025, according to the latest spot benchmarks offered by sellers to buyers priced in megawatt hour (MWh). This dataset includes a chart with historical data for France Electricity Price.

France - Electricity prices: Medium size households was EUR0.28 Kilowatt-hour in December of 2024, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for France - Electricity prices: Medium size households - last updated from the EUROSTAT on March of 2025. Historically, France - Electricity prices: Medium size households reached a record high of EUR0.28 Kilowatt-hour in December of 2024 and a record low of EUR0.13 Kilowatt-hour in December of 2010.

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