Most substantial increase energy bill in four years

Early 2009, the energy bill for households is considerably higher than one year previously. On the basis of the rates of January 2009, a household with an average gas and electricity consumption will annually spend 1,964 euro on energy, 239 euro more than in January 2008. The increase by nearly 14 percent is the largest since 2005. With 5.3 percent, energy costs constitute a major part of total household spending.

Energy bill, 1997-2009

The increase of the energy bill is mainly attributable to an increase in delivery charges. Delivery charges for gas and electricity annually increased by 168 and 65 euro respectively. Gas and electricity rates are linked to the oil price, but because energy is purchased in advance, the effect of price changes on energy rates only becomes evident several months later. As a result, Dutch consumers faced higher energy bills in January, while the price of oil had dropped. With 6 euro, increased energy tax contributed little to the energy bill, whereas the costs of gas transport were 12 euro lower than in January last year.

Contribution to higher energy bill, January 2009