In July-December, households paid more than during the 2022 energy crisis, official data suggests

Households in the EU paid the highest prices for gas in the second half of last year since records began, official data has indicated.

According to a report on Tuesday by statistics agency Eurostat, prices rose for the first time in July-December 2024 after they had abated following the 2022 energy crisis.

Energy rates shot up to unprecedented levels in 2022 after the EU imposed sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict and vowed to cut its reliance on Russian gas supply. Russia's share in EU gas imports fell from about 40% pre-conflict to 19% by early 2025, including both pipeline deliveries and liquefied natural gas (LNG), being replaced with more expensive imports from the US.

"Average prices, including taxes, rose to €12.33 ($13.96) per 100 kWh [in the second half of 2024], up from €11.04 ($12.50)... This is the highest recorded price since data collection began in 2008," Eurostat wrote on Tuesday, attributing the increase to raised taxes and a scaling back of alleviation measures.

There were wide disparities in household gas prices across the EU, Eurostat noted. Sweden recorded the highest figure of €18.93 ($21.43) per 100 kWh, while in terms of purchasing power, gas was the most expensive in Portugal.

Sweden's natural gas consumption accounts for approximately 2% of its total energy use, with the country mainly relying on renewable and low-carbon sources and effectively eliminating Russian imports.

Portugal primarily relies on imported LNG, with a smaller portion arriving via pipeline connections. The country gets most of its chilled gas from Nigeria (51%) and the US (about 40%). Around 4.4% of the supply came from Russia last year, compared to 15% in 2021.

The second most expensive gas in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS) terms was registered in Italy, which has minimized its imports of Russian fossil fuel. The country's energy minister suggested in December, however, that it may resume natural gas imports from Russia if and when the Ukraine conflict is over.

The lowest price among the EU countries, both in nominal terms and PPS, was recorded in Hungary, Eurostat reported.

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The country sources roughly 82% of its gas through pipeline imports from Russia, with LNG playing a supplementary role. Budapest has sought to deepen its energy ties with Moscow despite EU sanctions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned earlier this year that soaring energy prices could cripple the bloc's economy.

Russia has consistently said it remains a reliable energy supplier and has criticized Western sanctions and trade restrictions on its exports as violations of international law. Moscow has also redirected its energy exports toward "friendly" markets.

(RT.com)