How Much Does Electricity Cost in Europe?

Although you probably know approximately how much your own electricity costs, for comparison's sake, it is interesting to know the cost of electricity in Europe.

According to the US Department of Energy, the average cost of electricity in the United States in 2010 is 11.04 cents per kilowatt hour. The cost of electricity in Europe depends upon which country you are talking about; however, rates vary from 5.55 cents in Spain per kilowatt hour to 42.89 cents per kilowatt hour in Denmark. We are measuring these amounts in United States cents, in order for you to really get a good idea of how much the electricity costs in different parts of Europe.

Here is a list of the costs of electricity in other parts of the continent:

• Belgium: 11.43 cents per kilowatt hour
• Finland: 6.95 cents per kilowatt hour
• France: 19.25 cents per kilowatt hour
• Germany: 30.66 cents per kilowatt hour
• Ireland: 23.89 cents per kilowatt hour
• Italy: 37.23 cents per kilowatt hour
• Netherlands: 34.70 cents per kilowatt hour
• Portugal: 12.85 cents per kilowatt hour
• Sweden: 27.34 cents per kilowatt hour
• United Kingdom: 18.59 cents per kilowatt hour

The european cost statistics are courtesy of PowerGen Worldwide, Domestic EU Electricity Prices, Electricity Supply Board, and Iberdrola.

Reasons for Differences

Certainly, you realize that there are immense differences amongst the prices between countries for electricity in Europe. Here are some of the reasons why there can be so many differences:

• Each country can set its own price; therefore, they are meeting their own needs and not continental ones.
• Different areas might be more in need of money for these purposes than other ones are.
• Certain countries might be using up their sources for electrical energy and therefore, they need to make it for a higher price.

In any case, differences exist, so it might be a factor to consider if you are planning to live abroad.