Electricity Report and Cost Survey
The a NUS Consulting Group’s International Electricity Report and Cost Survey provides an annual update on what is happening in this industry as well as comparative movements in worldwide prices.This year’s benchmark report reveals interesting developments in the world’s electricity industry as all countries surveyed, with the exception of Canada, showed an increase in pricing. As much of the world community has embraced the concept of deregulating electricity supplies, the increases can be directly attributable to rising oil prices as well as the speculation of electricity in various commodity’s markets.
In Europe, Sweden experienced the largest single year increase coming in at 40%. The United Kingdom had the second largest year-on-year increase having the largest five year increase measured at an outstanding 135.9%. Italy retains its top spot as the most expensive surveyed country. France records the lowest electricity cost of all surveyed European nations as most of its pricing remains in regulated markets. Most European countries have reported their energy markets as being at their most volatile in several decades with this trend continuing in the future.
Australia reported a 6.8% rise in its electricity pricing and points to its prolonged drought as having a direct impact on generation facilities. Increased demand for power is also playing a major role in the increases for Australian consumers. South Africa reported a modest increase of 4.8%, but warns larger increases are inevitable as the country finds itself having to invest huge sums in new generation and existing infrastructure.
In North America, Canada remains one of the lowest cost surveyed countries recording the only decrease in pricing over the past year. The United States has once again seen its average price of electricity grow as its struggles with rising generation costs and the concept of market deregulation. This year’s increase in the US, however, kept pace with inflation coming slightly below that figure in April 2008.
With fleeting opportunities for savings and the cold reality of ever higher prices, consumers must take an active role when it comes to their electricity purchases.
For more information of NUS see: http://www.nusconsulting.com/
See also:
- Global - Smart Grids - Energy & Environmental Issues - 2008
- Global - Utilities Broadband - HomePlug and Demand Side Management
- Global - Utilities Broadband - Multi-utility Market
- Global - Utilities Broadband - Projects & Pilots
- Global - Utilities Broadband - Smart Grids
- Global - Utilities Broadband - Trends & Analyses
