Large and medium sized companies in the UK have paid more for their electricity this year than any other EU 15 nation, according to latest government figures.
Figures for a year earlier show medium sized firms in Germany and Italy were paying more, but that has since changed.
Data for the six months to June shows UK power prices including taxes rose 8.4% for medium sized companies. The average price rise across the rest of the EU 15 was 1.8%. Medium firms are now paying 11.25p/kWh including environmental taxes and levies, but excluding VAT.
Excluding taxes, prices for medium consumers were 60 per cent above the median price.
Large companies are also paying the highest prices in the EU15 – and of the 28 EU countries, only firms in Cyprus pay more.
Small companies are slightly less disadvantaged, though higher price rises than in other countries mean that only small firms in Ireland, Italy and Germany pay more for their power.
The data follows recent warnings from National Grid that volatility may affect energy prices this winter, while suppliers including Npower have warned that incoming price rises will also bite.
See the figures here.
Related stories:
Prepare for volatility, warns National Grid
Energy price rises will bite this winter warns Npower
Gas and power prices hit 10 year highs but soften as system gets through winter
UK firms paying highest prices in Europe
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