Ireland, the European country where electricity costs the most

Streets of Clifden on the west coast of Ireland, County Galway. Tim Graham/Getty Images - Tim Graham

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Prices have almost doubled since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. A kilowatt hour costs almost 50 cents while the European average is just above 28. Companies make huge profits and are not currently taxed as is the case in other European countries. For the opposition, the government is clearly siding with suppliers rather than consumers.

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From our correspondent in Dublin, Laura Taouchanov

These new figures simply confirm how the Irish have been feeling for months. In some households, prices have almost doubled while state aid is lower than in other European countries. This is denounced by Paul Murphy, MP of the Socialist Party People Before Profit, who speaks before Parliament. All the electricity companies are making huge profits! 50% taxes on these huge profits would bring in 300 million euros that could be used to insulate and renovate homes to help people reduce their energy bills.

The Prime Minister promised to introduce a tax on these windfall profits a few weeks ago, but the measure is still under discussion. Labor MP Ged Nash called him out. "You can understand the anger and frustration of the audience! Why this delay, Minister? Austria introduced this tax as early as 18 November 2022. The Czech Republic, Greece with a rate of 90%, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia... When will you act?

This ranking also falls at a particular time. The government has just announced a surplus of 10 billion euros in public finances, fueled largely by corporate tax.

► Read also: Spectacular increase in electricity prices in South Africa

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Read on on the same topics:

• Ireland
• Energies
• consumption
• Taxation
• Economy
• European Union