Swedes pay more for electricity than Nordic neighbours
Swedes are paying considerably more for their domestic electricity than their Nordic neighbours, according to research carried out by the Swedish Homeowners Association (Villaägarna).
The organisation found that the annual cost of electricity in an average Swedish house is almost 9,000 kronor higher than in a comparable house in Finland.
A Swedish homeowner can expect to pay 21,000 kronor per year, while Finns will pay an average of 12,554 kronor. Norwegians with a similar sized house will pay around 19,000 kronor per year, reports Dagens Industri - almost 10% less than the Swedes.
The Homeowners Association claims that expensive Swedish electricity is entirely due to the country's electricity tax, since prices on the Nordic energy markets are otherwise the same.
The high price has prompted enterprise and energy minister Maud Olofsson to float the possibility of reducing the energy tax.
"I would consider taking a look at it," she said in an interview with Dagens Industri.
"Generally speaking, I think the energy debate needs to head towards an overhaul of the system in order to create credibility."
A month ago, Olofsson sparked fury among homeowners by telling them to insulate their homes, install triple-glazed windows and replace incandescent bulbs if they wanted to lower their bills.
She also urged electricity customers to unplug electrical appliances to keep them from running in standby mode - advice which the Swedish Homeowners Association vice director Joacim Olsson called "a provocation".
But the most important factors in bringing down the cost of electricity, according to Olofsson, are continued development of renewable sources of energy production and improved energy efficiency.
"As long as we need coal, oil and gas, increased consumption of electricity will drive up the prices," she said.
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The organisation found that the annual cost of electricity in an average Swedish house is almost 9,000 kronor higher than in a comparable house in Finland.
A Swedish homeowner can expect to pay 21,000 kronor per year, while Finns will pay an average of 12,554 kronor. Norwegians with a similar sized house will pay around 19,000 kronor per year, reports Dagens Industri - almost 10% less than the Swedes.
The Homeowners Association claims that expensive Swedish electricity is entirely due to the country's electricity tax, since prices on the Nordic energy markets are otherwise the same.
The high price has prompted enterprise and energy minister Maud Olofsson to float the possibility of reducing the energy tax.
"I would consider taking a look at it," she said in an interview with Dagens Industri.
"Generally speaking, I think the energy debate needs to head towards an overhaul of the system in order to create credibility."
A month ago, Olofsson sparked fury among homeowners by telling them to insulate their homes, install triple-glazed windows and replace incandescent bulbs if they wanted to lower their bills.
She also urged electricity customers to unplug electrical appliances to keep them from running in standby mode - advice which the Swedish Homeowners Association vice director Joacim Olsson called "a provocation".
But the most important factors in bringing down the cost of electricity, according to Olofsson, are continued development of renewable sources of energy production and improved energy efficiency.
"As long as we need coal, oil and gas, increased consumption of electricity will drive up the prices," she said.
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