Study on energy prices and costs; evaluating impacts on households and industry’s costs

This study aims to assist the European Commission’s policy initiatives by improving the base of evidence around the evolution and drivers of energy prices and costs. The EC is committed to present an analysis of the prices and costs of energy every two years. This study represents a major input to the fifth energy prices and costs report. Compared to previous editions of the costs and prices reports, this study:

✓ Updates and extends the analysis of the evolution and drivers of energy prices in the EU, including an analysis on the impact of price surges;

✓ Updates and extends the analysis of international comparisons on the evolution and drivers of energy prices;

✓ Updates the analysis on the EU energy bill, by the main imported fuels, and extend it by including assessments on the savings from the expected implementation of Green Deal policies;

✓ Updates and extends the analysis on how energy costs influence industrial competitiveness, in particular of energy intensive industries, including an analysis of the impact of the recent price surge in the various economic sectors in the EU and how green policies can help to reduce energy costs;

✓ Updates data collections and analyses of household energy expenditure and their evolution over time, including a comparison of the energy cost burden and energy poverty across Member States;

✓ Updates and extends the analysis on the evolution and drivers of taxes on energy products, energy tax revenues and inflation in the EU, including international comparisons