Story perspectives

UK Households Struggle with Europe's Highest Electricity Costs

2/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The International Energy Agency states British households face some of Europe's highest electricity costs, at 30.45p per kilowatt hour.
Norway costs 9.5p, France costs 23.7p, and the Netherlands costs 21.8p per kilowatt hour.
The rise is driven by net zero levies that outpace wage growth, reducing disposable income.
Since 2019, electricity prices have risen faster than income and inflation, raising electricity's share of household spending in many advanced economies.

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Story summary

The International Energy Agency states British households face some of Europe's highest electricity costs, at 30.45p per kilowatt hour.
Norway costs 9.5p, France costs 23.7p, and the Netherlands costs 21.8p per kilowatt hour.
The rise is driven by net zero levies that outpace wage growth, reducing disposable income.
Since 2019, electricity prices have risen faster than income and inflation, raising electricity's share of household spending in many advanced economies.