Luxembourg consumers saw noticeably rising natural gas bills in the first half of the year, but electricity bills rose more modestly than in many EU countries. Library picture: Windmills seen in Hosingen. Photo credit: Christophe Francois / Shutterstock

Luxembourg consumers saw noticeably rising natural gas bills in the first half of the year, but electricity bills rose more modestly than in many EU countries. Library picture: Windmills seen in Hosingen. Photo credit: Christophe Francois / Shutterstock

Electricity prices in the first six months of 2021 were a mere one-tenth of a percent higher in Luxembourg than in the first six months of 2020, compared to 2.6% higher for the whole EU. But gas prices gained 6% in Luxembourg, compared to a -1% drop across the entire bloc.

Electricity prices across the entire EU rose from €21.34 per 100kWh in the first half of 2020 to €21.92 per 100kWh in the first half of 2021, according to , the EU’s statistics agency. The increase was less pronounced in the grand duchy. Electricity for household consumers in Luxembourg went from €19.86 to €19.88 per 100kWh over the same time period.

Prices went up more substantially in Slovenia (+15%), Poland (+8%) and Romania (+7%), while they dropped in the Netherlands (-10%), Cyprus (-7%) and Lithuania (-6%).

On the other hand, natural gas prices fell slightly across the entire EU, Eurostat on 20 October. Comparing January-June 2020 and January-June 2021, gas declined from €6.45 to €6.39 per 100kWh in the EU27. However, in Luxembourg, gas--cheaper than the EU average--went from €4.12 to €4.38 per 100kWh.

Eurostat said that “taxes triggered” the increased gas costs in Luxembourg, as well as in Germany.

Taxes and levies represented 39% of total electricity bills across the EU; the figure was about 26% in Luxembourg in the first half of 2021. Taxes and levies made up 36% of total gas bills across the EU; the figure was roughly 19% in Luxembourg.

Eurostat stated: “More recently, wholesale prices for electricity and gas are increasing substantially across the EU,” but the agency has not yet released third quarter figures.