ELECTRICITY bills in Spain went up between 2008 and the end of 2012 more than in any other European Union member State except Lithuania, figures show.
During this four-year period, the cost of power to households and businesses rose by 46 per cent in Spain, and 47 per cent in Lithuania says the European Commission.
Brussels puts this down to rising distribution costs, increases in IVA, or VAT, in EU countries, and 'eco-taxes' relating to renewable energy.
And Spain has the highest transmission and distribution costs for electricity in the whole of Europe, at seven euros per kilowatt per hour (kWh).
Lithania, Denmark and Slovakia, the countries with the second-highest distribution and transmission rates, pay six euros per kWh.
In the EU overall, during the period of 2008 to 2012 inclusive, electricity prices to the end consumer went up by an average of four per cent per year, although in Spain this was closer to 11.5 per cent.
Cyprus saw the third-highest increases during this time, with bills going up by 43 per cent, followed by Poland at 38 per cent, Portugal at 35 per cent, Latvia at 34 per cent and Estonia at 32 per cent.
The member States where the price rise was the lowest during these four years were Italy and Belgium, which saw just a three-per-cent hike in the period.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com