Introduction of a power generation price cap across Europe for combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants could result in a considerable decrease in European energy bills. In a price cap scenario, the total increase in European energy bills in 2022 compared to the previous year is estimated to total *** billion euros. Meanwhile, an increase in energy bills of more than *** billion euros is the estimated result when no price cap is introduced.

The default energy tariff price cap for direct debit customers in the United Kingdom is forecast to surpass ***** British pounds in April 2023. This projection continues an increasing trend in the energy tariff price cap, which has risen considerably since 2021 amid a surge in wholesale energy prices. The default tariff price cap is set by Ofgem, the United Kingdom's energy regulator.

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.

About the Project The KAPSARC Energy Model of China (KEM China) project began in 2014 to study energy and environmental issues in China. KEM China has been developed to understand China’s energy economy and fuel mix, how they are impacted by government intervention, as well as their interaction with global markets. It is a modular integrated mixed-complementarity problem model that optimizes supply decisions, minimizing fuel and technology costs, while taking into account the effect of government regulation on prices and the environment.Key PointsWhen energy sectors transition from government-controlled to market-driven systems, the legacy regulatory instruments can create unintended market distortions and lead to higher costs. In China, the most notable regulatory throwback is ceilings on electricity prices that generators can charge utilities, which are specified by plant type and region. We built a mixed complementarity model calibrated to 2012 data to examine the impact of these price caps on the electricity and coal sectors. Our study highlights the following major findings: Capped on-grid tariffs incentivize market concentration and vertical integration so that generators can cross-subsidize power plants, ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel and reduce the impact of volatility in fuel prices. Tight price caps can cause the system to deviate from the least-cost capacity and fuel mix. In 2012, this resulted in an additional annual cost of at least 45 billion RMB, or 4 percent of China’s total power system cost. The government also had to subsidize some of the losses, which indicates that this regulatory design is not responsive to market realities. Price constraints can impact the outcomes of other policy initiatives causing them to veer from intended goals. In the case of China, according to our modeling, greater installed wind capacity does not have a significant impact on the amount of coal consumed. Also, abolishing restrictive tariff caps on coal-fired generation does not increase coal use because the utilization rate of peak-shaving coal plants drops. We also estimate, using the model, subsidies required for a range of wind capacity additions to China’s power generation mix and find that the feed-in tariff could have been less generous.

The system marginal price (SMP) for electricity in South Korea stood at around ******South Korean won per kilowatt-hour as of March 2025. The South Korean government introduced the SMP ceiling system at the end of 2022, which limits the wholesale price at which Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) purchases electricity from power generation companies to protect energy consumers during times of price fluctuations. KEPCO is a public institution responsible for the distribution of electricity in South Korea. In the last 10 years, electricity consumed per capita in South Korea has seen a steady increase. Sustainable energy sources in South Korea South Korea imports over ** percent of its energy, which primarily originates from fossil fuels. But as demand continues to rise, the country needs to look for more sustainable options for residents to maintain the same standard of living. One such option is solar energy. Indeed, the government has already invested in solar energy, newly installing multiple megawatts worth of solar power generators yearly. Private solar power installations in South Korea The amount of solar power for private use in South Korea is likely to rise as more people look toward installing their own solar panels to meet their energy needs. Panels that can be attached to the outside railings of apartments as well as on building rooftops are available for private installation. The government has encouraged these efforts through subsidies.

Crude Oil rose to 68.75 USD/Bbl on July 11, 2025, up 3.27% from the previous day. Over the past month, Crude Oil's price has risen 1.04%, but it is still 16.37% lower than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Crude Oil - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

According to a survey conducted in December 2022, over 40 percent of Hungary's population was personally severely affected by the increase in fuel prices triggered by the abolishment of the price cap. At the same time, 20 percent of the respondents stated that they were not affected by the price increase at all.

The Gas Utilities industry comprises all stages required to deliver gas to end users in France, including generation, transmission, distribution and supply. France is almost entirely dependent on imports for its natural gas supply, cutting gas generation and transmission out of the supply chain. This means the industry is dominated by gas supply, though distribution also plays a key role in transporting gas from import terminals to end users. De-industrialisation has spurred a long-term decline in gas consumption in France, with decarbonisation efforts accelerating this downward trend in recent years. Despite falling consumption, revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 12.3% over the five years through 2025, reaching €46 billion. Gas suppliers have been hit by volatility in global energy markets in recent years. Declining gas consumption and falling wholesale market prices spurred a slump in revenue during the pandemic, with a higher number of defaults on customer bills spurring also eating into profitability. Revenue bounced back in 2021 as geopolitical tensions spurred rapid growth in wholesale prices, leading to widespread tariff increases. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a renewed surge in natural gas prices necessitated government intervention through the introduction of a tariff shield. While this limited revenue growth and constrained profitability in household and small business gas supply markets in 2022, the absence of a price cap for large energy users contributed to strong revenue growth. Although natural gas prices dropped by more than two-thirds in 2023, revenue remained well above 2021 levels, as ongoing uncertainty and the abolishment of regulated prices made companies reluctant to cut tariffs significantly. Natural gas prices continued to come down in 2024 and are showing signs of stabilising in 2025. However, this is yet to translate into widespread tariff reductions, owing to ongoing volatility in global commodity markets and a recent hike in GRDF’s distribution tariff. Still, revenue is forecast to decline by 8.4% in 2025.Over the five years through 2030, revenue is slated to fall at a compound annual rate of 0.2% to €45.6 billion. Intensified competition following the de-regulation of prices should limit the scope for significant tariff increases as natural gas prices continue to stabilise. In line with climate goals, gas consumption is set to drop 20% by 2030, weighing on growth prospects. The integration of renewable gases is set to continue to inflate distribution charges, while presenting opportunities for gas suppliers to target eco-conscious households and businesses.

This table shows the average prices paid for natural gas and electricity. The total prices represent the sum of energy supply prices and network prices.

The total price is the price paid by an end-user, for instance a household or an industrial company consuming energy in their production process. Natural gas used for non-energy purposes or for electricity generation is excluded from the data.

The price cap set by the Dutch government for 2023 has now been incorporated into the prices.

Data available from: 1st semester of 2009

Status of the figures: The figures in this table are provisional for the two most recent semesters, and the annual figures follow the status of the second semester of the relevant reporting year. The remaining figures are final.

Changes as of March 28: Figures for the second half of 2024 have been added.

When will new figures be published? New provisional figures will be published three months after the semesters end, at the end of September and at the end of March.

The average gas price in Great Britain in May 2025 was 82.59 British pence per therm. This was seven pence higher than the same month the year prior and follows a trend of increasing gas prices. Energy prices in the UK Energy prices in the UK have been exceptionally volatile throughout the 2020s. Multiple factors, such as a lack of gas storage availability and the large share of gas in heating, have exacerbated the supply issue in the UK that followed the Russia-Ukraine war. This has also led to many smaller suppliers announcing bankruptcy, while an upped price cap threatened the energy security of numerous households. The United Kingdom has some of the highest household electricity prices worldwide. How is gas used in the UK? According to a 2023 survey conducted by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 58 percent of respondents used gas as a heating method during the winter months. On average, household expenditure on energy from gas in the UK stood at some 24.9 billion British pounds in 2023, double the amount spent just two years prior.

The pull-out cap market, while experiencing a period of moderate growth, presents significant opportunities for industry players. Let's assume, for illustrative purposes, a 2025 market size of $500 million based on typical values for niche packaging segments and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2025 to 2033. This projects a market value exceeding $750 million by 2033. Key drivers include the increasing demand for tamper-evident closures across various end-use sectors, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and cosmetics. The rising focus on product safety and security is a major catalyst, as pull-out caps offer a superior level of tamper-evidence compared to traditional screw-on caps. Furthermore, the growing preference for convenient and user-friendly packaging solutions fuels the market's expansion. However, the market faces certain restraints, such as the higher manufacturing costs associated with pull-out caps compared to simpler closure types. This may limit adoption in price-sensitive sectors. Market segmentation is crucial, with variations in material (plastic, metal), application (pharmaceutical bottles, cosmetic jars), and regional demand significantly impacting market dynamics. Companies like Decap Closures Pvt. Ltd., Prayas Innconcepts Private Limited, and Bericap GmbH & Co. KG are major players, leveraging innovation and strategic partnerships to capture market share. Future growth will depend on technological advancements, such as incorporating sustainable and recyclable materials, along with exploring new application areas. The competitive landscape is characterized by both established players and emerging entrants, leading to intense competition focused on innovation, cost efficiency, and customer service. Strategic partnerships and mergers & acquisitions are likely to reshape the market structure in the coming years. Regional variations in market growth are expected, with developed economies likely exhibiting steadier growth compared to developing economies, which may experience higher growth rates due to increasing consumer demand and rising disposable incomes. The increasing adoption of e-commerce and the associated need for secure packaging further fuels the growth trajectory of the pull-out cap market. Understanding these market dynamics is critical for companies to develop successful strategies for market penetration and sustainable growth in this dynamic segment of the packaging industry.

The UK inflation rate was 3.5 percent in April 2025, up from 2.6 percent in the previous month, and the fastest rate of inflation since February 2024. Between September 2022 and March 2023, the UK experienced seven months of double-digit inflation, which peaked at 11.1 percent in October 2022. Due to this long period of high inflation, UK consumer prices have increased by over 20 percent in the last three years. As of the most recent month, prices were rising fastest in the communications sector, at 6.1 percent, but were falling in both the furniture and transport sectors, at -0.3 percent and -0.6 percent respectively.
The Cost of Living Crisis High inflation is one of the main factors behind the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis in the UK, which, despite subsiding somewhat in 2024, is still impacting households going into 2025. In December 2024, for example, 56 percent of UK households reported their cost of living was increasing compared with the previous month, up from 45 percent in July, but far lower than at the height of the crisis in 2022. After global energy prices spiraled that year, the UK's energy price cap increased substantially. The cap, which limits what suppliers can charge consumers, reached 3,549 British pounds per year in October 2022, compared with 1,277 pounds a year earlier. Along with soaring food costs, high-energy bills have hit UK households hard, especially lower income ones that spend more of their earnings on housing costs. As a result of these factors, UK households experienced their biggest fall in living standards in decades in 2022/23. Global inflation crisis causes rapid surge in prices The UK's high inflation, and cost of living crisis in 2022 had its origins in the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the initial waves of the virus, global supply chains struggled to meet the renewed demand for goods and services. Food and energy prices, which were already high, increased further in 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought an end to the era of cheap gas flowing to European markets from Russia. The war also disrupted global food markets, as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of cereal crops. As a result of these factors, inflation surged across Europe and in other parts of the world, but typically declined in 2023, and approached more usual levels by 2024.

Government regulations and financial constraints challenge companies’ carbon reduction efforts. This study examines a supply chain comprising a retailer and a capital-constrained manufacturer regulated by a carbon cap-and-trade policy. It develops three analytical modes: manufacturer-independent abatement, supply chain loose cooperation for abatement, and energy service company (ESCO) provided abatement. The study explores the optimal carbon reduction levels and patterns for manufacturers, as well as the optimal pricing strategies for supply chain members. Additionally, the extension explores a scenario where supply chain members collaborate closely to reduce emissions and provides a coordination mechanism. Key findings include: (1) Under high interest rates, manufacturers favor ESCO abatement over loose cooperation, with independent abatement being least preferred. (2) While loose cooperation enhances the low-carbon performance of products more effectively than the independent mode, it imposes greater financial pressure on manufacturers. (3) In the ESCO mode, financial burden decreases with higher carbon prices but rises with greater ESCO abatement efficiency. (4) When the abatement revenue-sharing ratio is below a critical threshold, increasing the ratio benefits both the manufacturer and retailer. However, higher carbon prices reduce firm profits while alleviating manufacturers’ financing pressure. (5) The two-part tariff contract developed in this study allows the unit abatement level and firm profits in the independent abatement mode to align with those in the closely cooperative abatement mode. Finally, our findings provide practical insights for government and business decision-makers from a low-carbon perspective.

Government regulations and financial constraints challenge companies’ carbon reduction efforts. This study examines a supply chain comprising a retailer and a capital-constrained manufacturer regulated by a carbon cap-and-trade policy. It develops three analytical modes: manufacturer-independent abatement, supply chain loose cooperation for abatement, and energy service company (ESCO) provided abatement. The study explores the optimal carbon reduction levels and patterns for manufacturers, as well as the optimal pricing strategies for supply chain members. Additionally, the extension explores a scenario where supply chain members collaborate closely to reduce emissions and provides a coordination mechanism. Key findings include: (1) Under high interest rates, manufacturers favor ESCO abatement over loose cooperation, with independent abatement being least preferred. (2) While loose cooperation enhances the low-carbon performance of products more effectively than the independent mode, it imposes greater financial pressure on manufacturers. (3) In the ESCO mode, financial burden decreases with higher carbon prices but rises with greater ESCO abatement efficiency. (4) When the abatement revenue-sharing ratio is below a critical threshold, increasing the ratio benefits both the manufacturer and retailer. However, higher carbon prices reduce firm profits while alleviating manufacturers’ financing pressure. (5) The two-part tariff contract developed in this study allows the unit abatement level and firm profits in the independent abatement mode to align with those in the closely cooperative abatement mode. Finally, our findings provide practical insights for government and business decision-makers from a low-carbon perspective.

Retail properties had the highest capitalization rates in the United States in 2023, followed by offices. The cap rate for office real estate was **** percent in the fourth quarter of the year and was forecast to rise further to **** percent in 2024. Cap rates measure the expected rate of return on investment, and show the net operating income of a property as a percentage share of the current asset value. While a higher cap rate indicates a higher rate of return, it also suggests a higher risk. Why have cap rates increased? The increase in cap rates is a consequence of a repricing in the commercial real estate sector. According to the National NCREIF Property Return Index, prices for commercial real estate declined across all property types in 2023. Rental growth was slow during the same period, resulting in a negative annual return. The increase in cap rates reflects the increased risk in the investment environment. Pricing uncertainty in the commercial real estate sector Between 2014 and 2021, commercial property prices in the U.S. enjoyed steady growth. Access to credit with low interest rates facilitated economic growth and real estate investment. As inflation surged in the following two years, lending policy tightened. That had a significant effect on the sector. First, it worsened sentiment among occupiers. Second, it led to a decline in demand for commercial spaces and commercial real estate investment volumes. Uncertainty about the future development of interest rates and occupier demand further contributed to the repricing of real estate assets.

In March 2024, the average monthly price of very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) stood at ***** U.S. dollars per metric ton. The price of VLSFO is strongly influenced by external factors, such as the price of crude oil and market forces of supply and demand. In the past two years, two separate events have had a profound effect on the price of VLSFO: the International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulfur cap on fuel oil in 2020 and, more recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Effects of the 2020 IMO sulfur cap In January 2020, a new limit on the sulfur content in fuel oil was introduced by the IMO. The goal of the cap was to reduce the concentration of sulfur in the air, thus reducing air pollution and preventing harm to marine ecosystems as well as protecting human health. Ship operators were forced to switch to VLSFO to comply with the new regulation, leading to a higher demand for VLSFO which in turn caused the price of VLSFO to increase to *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in January 2020. Shortly afterward, the world was hit with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With production facilities shutting down worldwide, maritime transport considerably slowed, driving the price of VLSFO to a historic minimum of *** U.S. dollars per metric ton in April 2020. Escalating conflict in Ukraine could raise fuel prices After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, most of the West reacted by imposing sanctions on Russia to weaken its economy. Although vital for the Russian economy, the Russian oil industry remained untargeted by direct sanctions during the first days of the invasion. However, sanctions cutting off Russia’s access to international financial markets and the SWIFT payment system, as well as divestments of Western oil companies from the Russian oil industry, could severely impact the country’s oil sector. In 2020, Russia was the third-largest producer of crude oil in the world, accounting for about ** percent of the world’s crude oil production. Disruptions to the Russian oil industry could, therefore, have consequences for the supply of oil to the global market and drive prices up. Since crude oil is the main component of VLSFO, an increase in the price of crude oil will most likely lead to a rise in the price of VLSFO.

The average annual domestic electricity bill in the United Kingdom saw an overall increase from 2014 to 2024 and boomed in 2023. In this period, households with an annual consumption of ***** kilowatt-hours saw bills rise from *** to ***** British pounds, including value-added tax. The household expenditure on electricity in the UK amounted to approximately **** billion current British pounds in 2023. Direct debit payments consistently cheaper In the period under consideration, the annual bill for an electricity consumption of ***** kilowatt-hours was consistently more expensive for consumers using standard credit as a method of payment, averaging ***** real British pounds in 2024. From 2016 onwards, consumers using the prepayment method paid less than standard credit consumers and, in 2022, their bill was the least expensive, at *** real British pounds. Electricity prices on the rise Household electricity prices in the UK have doubled in the past decade for both consumer groups. Despite the UK government setting a tariff cap to protect consumers, the UK’s power market was greatly impacted by the global energy crisis. In August 2022, electricity prices in Great Britain peaked at *** British pounds per megawatt-hour, over four times the price compared to August the following year.

In 2024, natural gas prices for UK businesses with an annual consumption greater than 27,778 megawatt hours stood at 4.49 pence per kilowatt-hour, while for industries with lower annual consumption, prices were 5.64 pence per kilowatt-hour.

Cap rates in the U.S. multifamily real estate sector have increased significantly since 2021, reflecting a rise in borrowing costs. In 2023, the average multifamily cap rate was **** percent, up **** percent in 2021, when it was at its low. By 2026, the average multifamily cap rate is forecast to decline slightly, to **** percent.

The 2025 preliminary average annual price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil reached 68.24 U.S. dollars per barrel, as of May. This would be eight U.S. dollars below the 2024 average and the lowest annual average since 2021. WTI and other benchmarks WTI is a grade of crude oil also known as “Texas light sweet.” It is measured to have an API gravity of around 39.6 and specific gravity of about 0.83, which is considered “light” relative to other crude oils. This oil also contains roughly 0.24 percent sulfur, and is therefore named “sweet.” Crude oils are some of the most closely observed commodity prices in the world. WTI is the underlying commodity of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange’s oil futures contracts. The price of other crude oils, such as UK Brent crude oil, the OPEC crude oil basket, and Dubai Fateh oil, can be compared to that of WTI crude oil. Since 1976, the price of WTI crude oil has increased notably, rising from just 12.23 U.S. dollars per barrel in 1976 to a peak of 99.06 dollars per barrel in 2008. Geopolitical conflicts and their impact on oil prices The price of oil is controlled in part by limiting oil production. Prior to 1971, the Texas Railroad Commission controlled the price of oil by setting limits on production of U.S. oil. In 1971, the Texas Railroad Commission ceased limiting production, but OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries with member states Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela among others, continued to do so. In 1972, due to geopolitical conflict, OPEC set an oil embargo and cut oil production, causing prices to quadruple by 1974. Oil prices rose again in 1979 and 1980 due to the Iranian revolution, and doubled between 1978 and 1981 as the Iran-Iraq War prevented oil production. A number of geopolitical conflicts and periods of increased production and consumption have influenced the price of oil since then.