Ireland, Italy, and Germany had some of the highest household electricity prices worldwide, as of March 2025. At the time, Irish households were charged around 0.45 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour, while in Italy, the price stood at 0.43 U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, in Russia, residents paid almost 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.

In September 2024, industrial electricity prices in the European countries of Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom were among the highest in the world, at around **** U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. Singapore was the Asian country with the highest electricity bill worldwide at that time. Lowest electricity prices in the world The average retail electricity price in the United States was considerably lower than in most of Europe. Iceland was the European country with one of the lowest electricity bills for enterprises that month. At the bottom of the ranking were also Russia, Iraq, Qatar, Argentina, and Libya. In these countries, commercial electricity prices amounted to less than *** U.S. dollars per kilowatt-hour. Household electricity prices In addition, European countries had the highest household electricity prices worldwide that month, with Italy at the top of the ranking. By comparison, Iran and Ethiopia had the lowest residential electricity prices in the world.

Germany Electricity decreased 28.11 EUR/MWh or 24.29% 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.

A table listing the average electricity rates (kWh) of all 50 U.S. states as of August 2025.

Electricity prices in Europe are expected to remain volatile through 2025, with Italy projected to have some of the highest rates among major European economies. This trend reflects the ongoing challenges in the energy sector, including the transition to renewable sources and the impact of geopolitical events on supply chains. Despite efforts to stabilize the market, prices in countries like Italy are forecast to reach ****** euros per megawatt hour by February 2025, indicating persistent pressure on consumers and businesses alike. Natural gas futures shaping electricity costs The electricity market's future trajectory is closely tied to natural gas prices, a key component in power generation. Dutch TTF gas futures, a benchmark for European natural gas prices, are projected to be ***** euros per megawatt hour in July 2025. The reduced output from the Groningen gas field and increased reliance on imports further complicate the pricing landscape, potentially contributing to higher electricity costs in countries like Italy. Regional disparities and global market influences While European electricity prices remain high, significant regional differences persist. For instance, natural gas prices in the United States are expected to be roughly one-third of those in Europe by March 2025, at **** U.S. dollars per million British thermal units. This stark contrast highlights the impact of domestic production capabilities on global natural gas prices. Europe's greater reliance on imports, particularly in the aftermath of geopolitical tensions and the shift away from Russian gas, continues to keep prices elevated compared to more self-sufficient markets. As a result, countries like Italy may face sustained pressure on electricity prices due to their position within the broader European energy market.

Italy Electricity decreased 32.14 EUR/MWh or 23.33% 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.

The average wholesale electricity price in July 2025 in the United Kingdom is forecast to amount to****** British pounds per megawatt-hour, a decrease from the previous month. A record high was reached in August 2022 when day-ahead baseload contracts averaged ***** British pounds per megawatt-hour.
Electricity price stabilization in Europe Electricity prices increased in 2024 compared to the previous year, when prices stabilized after the energy supply shortage. Price spikes were driven by the growing wholesale prices of natural gas and coal worldwide, which are among the main sources of power in the region.

… and in the United Kingdom? The United Kingdom was one of the countries with the highest electricity prices worldwide during the energy crisis. Since then, prices have been stabilizing, almost to pre-energy crisis levels. The use of nuclear, wind, and bioenergy for electricity generation has been increasing recently. The fuel types are an alternative to fossil fuels and are part of the country's power generation plans going into the future.

In the observed period, weighted average monthly electricity prices on the day-ahead market in Poland increased from ****** zloty/MWh in January 2018 to over *** zloty/MWh (***** EUR/MWh) in April 2025. The record weighted average price occurred in August 2022, exceeding ***** zloty. Consumption of electricity in Poland Electricity is essential to modern life and vital to every country’s economy. Starting from 1990, the final annual electricity consumption reached a value of ***** terawatt-hours. It eventually grew to *** tWh in 2023, which happened to be a *** percent decrease compared to the previous year. Consumption of solar photovoltaic power has become popular in recent years, but also the capacity of solar photovoltaic per inhabitant in Poland has significantly increased, rising from just *** watts per inhabitant in 2013 to ***** W/inhab in 2023. In 2023, **** million customers in Poland used electricity with consumption lower than ** megawatt-hours. Electricity production from renewables Throughout the years, there have been different methods and sources of electricity production worldwide. Starting in 2012, the electricity production from solar photovoltaic power generated only *** gigawatt-hours. In 2023, Poland's electricity production volume from solar photovoltaic power reached a peak of over ** terawatt hours. Another source of electricity production was the wind. Where the production of electricity from wind steadily increased from **** gigawatt-hours in 2000 to ****** gigawatt-hours in 2023. Biogas and biomass also play a significant role in the production of electricity. In 2012, electricity production from biogas and biomass was the highest at around ****** gigawatt-hours. However, in 2022, the production decreased, reaching ***** GWh.

Electricity prices in the U.S. have surged due to rising demand from heatwaves and data centers, alongside investments in grid infrastructure.

Retail residential electricity prices in the United States have mostly risen over the last decades. In 2023, prices registered a year-over-year growth of 6.3 percent, the highest growth registered since the beginning of the century. Residential prices are projected to continue to grow by two percent in 2024. Drivers of electricity price growth The price of electricity is partially dependent on the various energy sources used for generation, such as coal, gas, oil, renewable energy, or nuclear. In the U.S., electricity prices are highly connected to natural gas prices. As the commodity is exposed to international markets that pay a higher rate, U.S. prices are also expected to rise, as it has been witnessed during the energy crisis in 2022. Electricity demand is also expected to increase, especially in regions that will likely require more heating or cooling as climate change impacts progress, driving up electricity prices. Which states pay the most for electricity? Electricity prices can vary greatly depending on both state and region. Hawaii has the highest electricity prices in the U.S., at roughly 43 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour as of May 2023, due to the high costs of crude oil used to fuel the state’s electricity. In comparison, Idaho has one of the lowest retail rates. Much of the state’s energy is generated from hydroelectricity, which requires virtually no fuel. In addition, construction costs can be spread out over decades.

The retail price for electricity in the United States stood at an average of 12.99 U.S. dollar cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024. This is the highest figure reported in the indicated period. Nevertheless, the U.S. still has one of the lowest electricity prices worldwide. As a major producer of primary energy, energy prices are lower than in countries that are more reliant on imports or impose higher taxes. Regional variations and sector disparities The impact of rising electricity costs across U.S. states is not uniform. Hawaii stands out with the highest household electricity price, reaching a staggering 41.27 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour in September 2024. This stark contrast is primarily due to Hawaii's heavy reliance on imported oil for power generation. On the other hand, states like Utah benefit from lower rates, with prices around 11.4 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Regarding U.S. prices by sector, residential customers have borne the brunt of price increases, paying an average of 15.98 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour in 2023, significantly more than commercial and industrial sectors. Factors driving price increases Several factors contribute to the upward trend in electricity prices. The integration of renewable energy sources, investments in smart grid technologies, and rising peak demand all play a role. Additionally, the global energy crisis of 2022 and natural disasters affecting power infrastructure have put pressure on the electric utility industry. The close connection between U.S. electricity prices and natural gas markets also influences rates, as domestic prices are affected by higher-paying international markets. Looking ahead, projections suggest a continued increase in electricity prices, with residential rates expected to grow by two percent in 2024, driven by factors such as increased demand and the ongoing effects of climate change. (201714)

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.

This dataset is restricted, for more information please contact the author. Data were collected from multiple sources:The Electricity & Co-Generation Regulatory AuthoritySaudi Electricity companyWeb news article (2015, December 28). Increase of Fuel, Electricity and Water prices. Retrieved from https://akhbaar24.argaam.com/article/detail/255091accessed on March 22, 2018.In October 1984, the government adopted a Tariff that increased with increasing consumption. The changes of Tariffs started in November 1984.Tariff approved by Council of Ministries 170 and become effective in October 2000. This Tariff remained effective for approximately ten years The residential, agricultural, mosques, and charitable societies remained unchanged till 2018In 2010, a new tariff for government, commercial, and industrial consumption came into force, this was adopted by a decision of ECRA's board, to set tariffs for non-residential consumption with an upper limit of SR0.26/kWh.In 2015, the total value of electricity consumed by the residential sector was worth about 38 billion U.S. dollars.In 2018, the Council of Ministers has approved gradual revision of energy prices in the Kingdom including changes to electricity tariffs effective from Jan. 1. 2018, the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA) announced that new prices will take effect on January 1st, 2018.source: ECRACitation: Alghamdi, Abeer. 2018. “Changes in Saudi Arabia Electricity Prices.” [dataset]. https://datasource.kapsarc.org/explore/dataset/electricity-prices-in-saudi-arabia/information/.

France Electricity decreased 5.85 EUR/MWh or 8.38% 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.

Sweden's electricity market has experienced significant fluctuations recently, with prices reaching a peak of *** euros per megawatt-hour in December 2022. By June 2025, the average wholesale electricity price had settled at **** euros per megawatt-hour, reflecting a substantial decrease from the historic high. Economic factors influencing electricity prices The fluctuations in electricity prices can be attributed to various economic factors affecting Sweden. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the country has shown a steady increase since 2015, rising from *** to *** in 2022. This upward trend continued into 2023, with the CPI reaching *** by the end of the year. Consumer sentiment and household concerns The economic instability has had a significant impact on consumer confidence in Sweden. In October 2022, the consumer confidence index (CCI) dropped to a record low of *****, the lowest value measured between 2012 and November 2023. This decline in consumer sentiment was reflected in household concerns, with nearly two out of three Swedes expressing worry about increasing household expenses.

According to a survey conducted in April 2022, more than half of the participants believed that the increase in their electricity bills was due to government policies in Turkey. Over one-third of the respondents held energy companies responsible for the growth in electricity prices.

The average retail price of electricity for households has risen steadily in the United States, reaching a peak of around 15.98 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2023. In the U.S., electricity prices tend to reflect base overnight costs for power plants, their maintenance, fuel costs, and the operation of power grids. How electricity rates differ across states in the U.S. The price of electricity varies widely across states. Hawaii has continuously had one of the highest rates and Washington one of the lowest. In Hawaii, the power sector is largely reliant on petroleum and diesel generators. Crude oil is a comparatively expensive fuel and prices tend to be volatile, driving up overall electricity prices. Meanwhile, electricity prices are low in states which use hydropower as the main source of electricity, as Washington. In the U.S., costs of electricity are greatly shaped by the primary power source used per state. Maintaining the power grid In addition to primary fuel purchases, the costs required to operate and maintain transmission and distribution systems also impact the prices that a household pays. In 2022, power utilities reported a peak in grid operating expenses, with transmission-related costs reaching 15.9 billion U.S. dollars and almost six billion U.S. dollars invested in distribution networks.

Electric power selling price index (EPSPI). Monthly data are available from January 1981. The table presents data for the most recent reference period and the last four periods. The base period for the index is (2014=100).