Dutch households face higher energy bills

On the basis of the energy rates of July 2008, Dutch households with an average energy consumption pay 1,869 euro annually for gas and electricity, i.e. 144 euro (just over 8 percent) more than in July 2007. Gas and electricity rates are affected by the oil price in the preceding months. Record oil prices in the first six months of 2008 now push up the energy bill.

Higher delivery charges  for natural gas account for 102 euro, VAT and energy tax for 40 euro. The costs of electricity delivery also went up. In January 2008, the energy tax on gas and electricity was raised and in July 2008 the energy tax on electricity was raised again. The increase was curbed to a certain extent by a decrease in transport costs for natural gas. Electricity transport costs largely remained unchanged.

Factors which push up the energy bill, July 2008