Europe is facing rising electricity prices

RADIO ROMANIA NEWS (September 16, 13:08) - Show: "Radiojurnal" - Director: Constanta Comanici - All of Europe is facing increases in electricity prices. These are the highest levels in recent years, and analysts anticipate that the situation is unlikely to change by the end of the year. A number of countries have already taken concrete steps in this regard. Ciprian Sasu transmits.

Reporter: The explanations for the increase in electricity bills are related to the increase in quotations for natural gas and the prices of green certificates. In Germany, for the first time on Monday, the price of electricity - a benchmark for Europe - exceeded the threshold of 100 euros per megawatt per hour. The evolution was favored by the increase of costs for raw energy materials, say the specialists. Several European countries have announced support measures to make bills bearable for final consumers. The Italian government, for example, has decided to use public funds to reduce the impact of rising utility prices. On the other hand, the Spanish executive has adopted an emergency package. Among the measures considered are the recovery by the state of several billion euros from the large profits of energy companies and the capping of the increase in gas prices. In Athens, the Greek government has decided to provide subsidies to most households by the end of the year. On the other hand, the Polish government wants the bills to specify the additional costs of climate change policies. Similar measures are being considered in Bucharest. Authorities have already decided to support vulnerable consumers, but it is also intended to offset electricity and gas bills.

Translated by: Radu Matei