The electricity prices for September of the 10 major electric power companies are the highest in the last five years that can be compared.

The reason is the soaring prices of LNG = liquefied natural gas, which is the fuel for thermal power generation.

On the 28th, 10 major electric power companies announced electricity prices for September.



Comparing the electricity charges for households with average usage to August,


▽ Chubu Electric Power will increase by 364 yen to 9111 yen


▽ TEPCO will increase by 8 yen to 9126 yen.



Each company has an upper limit that can pass on the soaring fuel prices of thermal power generation such as LNG and coal, and against the background of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 8 companies other than TEPCO and Chubu Electric Power , The upper limit has been reached by August, and it is not possible to raise the price any more.



September electricity prices for the 10 major power companies are among the highest in the last five years of comparison.



In addition, the gas price for September will also increase in 3 out of 4 major gas companies due to the soaring price of LNG, which is the raw material for city gas.



Compared to August, for households with average usage,


▽ Toho Gas increased by 138 yen to 7361 yen


▽ Osaka Gas increased by 125 yen to 6726 yen


▽ Saibu Gas increased by 100 yen to 6827 yen increase.



In addition, Tokyo Gas has reached the upper limit where the increase in LNG price can be passed on to the retail price from July, so the average household usage will be 5886 yen, which is the same as in August.

There is also a move to review the setting of the electric power company "free charge"

With the liberalization of electricity retailing for households, which started in April 2016, electric power companies have set their own rate plans, and users are now free to choose their own electric power companies.



However, not all users will change their rate plans immediately, so transitional measures have been introduced and are still ongoing.



For this reason, electricity charges are


▽ a system called "regulated charges" that requires national approval when raising prices, instead of adding the cost required for a stable supply of electricity, and


▽ for example, a set with gas and the Internet. There is a system called "free charge" that allows you to receive a discount when you sign a contract.



As fuel prices continue to rise, electric power companies are moving to review the setting of "free charges."



▽ Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc. announced in July that it will review the rate plan that was set mainly for all-electric homes, which has about 550,000 contracts.



If fuel prices continue to rise, electricity prices for November will be raised.



In addition, in


July, ▽ Chubu Electric Power also made it possible to pass on the increase in fuel costs with a plan for households with about 3.5 million contracts, and


▽ Tohoku Electric Power also said, "Toward a review of the rate plan including price increases. We will make a concrete examination. "



On the other hand, regarding the "regulated fee", it is said that it will take about 4 months to raise the price because it is necessary to apply to the government and obtain approval, and how to reflect the fuel cost in a severe business environment. We are faced with a difficult response.