Dutch consumers sees 7.5% increased energy bill

THE HAGUE – The energy bill of a family with an average electricity and natural gas consumption rose last january with 7.5%, compared to december 2005. This increase is related to higher electricity and gas prices, which are linked to the international oil price. This is publiced by the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS) on Monday.

In the last few years, electricity and gas have become more expensive every year. On average, a household pays 65% more then in 2000. The gas bill increased by 85% from 2000 to 2006, while electricity rose 40% in the same period. The tariffs for natural gas and electricity are adjusted annually, based on the average oil price of the past year. Other costs of the energy bills, such as fixed costs and energy taxes, have remained equal, compared to last year, according to CBS.

Energy consumption

Based on the prices of january 2006 en the energy consumption of 2000, an average household will have a combined gas and electricity consumption of about 1800 euro annually, according to the CBS. This breaks up in 1400 euro of energy and transport costs, and the remaining 400 is taxes.

Measures

The figures caused Labour (PvdA) to ask for compensation measures for low income families. The Christian Democrats (CDA) were asked to support this. CDA already asked for income compensation measures in december, but the government refused to give in to this. The government only did something extra for families with children and a minimum wage income. It also promised to look into the situation again in the spring. The CDA was satisfied with that answer.

Links:
http://www.nu.nl/news/673354/16/Energierekening_huishouden_stijgt_fors.html
http://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/33455991/Energierekening_huishouden_stijgt_fors.html
http://www.ad.nl/economie/article151898.ece

All links are in Dutch