Czech energy prices above-average compared with new EU states

Prague, Oct 23 (CTK) - Prices which Czech households pay for electricity and gas are above-average compared with prices paid for the commodities by households in the 12 new member states of the European Union, according to data of Europe's Energy Portal (EEP).

The data also show that energy prices in the 15 old EU member countries, except for Great Britain, are higher than prices in the eastern part of the 27-EU.

Czech households pay EUR50.90 (Kc1,270) per megawatt hour (MWh) of gas on average, which is the fourth highest price among new EU member states, according to EEP's data. Gas is more expensive in Slovenia, Hungary and Slovakia.

In the entire European Union, gas prices paid by Czech households are comparable to prices of gas in France and Spain, for example.

Gas prices are the highest in Denmark where consumers pay EUR118 per MWh. The lowest gas price of EUR28.20 per MWh was recorded in Romania.

The price of electricity paid by Czech households is EUR127.60 per MWh, which is the fifth highest price among new EU member states. A higher electricity price is paid by households in Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Slovenia.

In the entire EU, electricity prices are the highest in Denmark where households pay EUR256.20 per MWh. Electricity for households is the cheapest in Bulgaria where a megawatt hour costs EUR82.30.

EEP is an organisation independent of the European Commission. It has been operating since 2005.

EEP's data on electricity prices are based on surveys among end users in the entire EU. The latest data reflect electricity and gas prices in the first half of this year.

Prices of gas and electricity in selected EU countries (in euros):
Country Price of MWh of gas Price of MWh of electricity
Denmark 118 256.20
Germany 57.80 240.60
Austria 62.10 179.80
Hungary 56.10 161.60
Slovakia 51.20 150.10
Czech Republic 50.90 127.60
Poland 42.70 141.90
Britain 38 126.50
Bulgaria 43.40 82.30
Romania 28.20 107.40

Source: EEP. www.energy.eu