Since 2010, gas and electricity prices have strikingly increased. The main reason for the increase of prices is the increase in wholesale costs on the support of the tentative global economic recovery and expectations of higher requirement.

The prices of electricity fell in the first half of the year, but this was merely a case of energy suppliers who were decreasing prices after large increases in January.

As per a survey that included the 23 European cities, Helsinki is the cheapest for electricity prices. Households in Berlin are the most expensive. It pays two-and-a-half times as much as more charges than other countries. This is mainly due to taxes and subsidies that are designed to increase the production of renewable energy.

As per Vaasaett, the actual energy price component is approximately 41% of a household's electricity bill, whereas distribution represents 33%; energy taxes 11%; sales tax 16%. These figures are all over Europe and also include profit margins of supplier.

In the UK, the cost of energy including margins is 58%, whereas distribution is 26%, energy taxes are 11% and VAT is 5%.

In spite of increasing prices, London is the second cheapest city, where households pay well below the European average.