Finnish household power prices rise by 70%-90% from 2001

Finnish household power prices rise by 70%-90% from 2001

Helsinki (Platts)--23May2006

Lack of competition and low customer switching rates have helped
force household power prices to jump in Finland by 70% to 90% from early 2001
to the current day, according to VaasaEMB, a Finnish Vaasa-based consultancy.
The consultancy said that the most marked rise (+90%) was among clients
that heat their houses with electricity and consume 18,000 kWh annually.
VaasaEMG said that one of the most important reasons why power prices in
Finland have risen at a constant rate is little interest by household clients
in switching over to a cheaper power company. Only about 15% of total
households in the country have switched over to a new power company.
"In order to change the situation, consumers need to have more
information," VaasaEMG said.
For row houses consuming 5,000 kWh annually, power prices had risen by
69% and for blocks of flats that consume 2,000 kWh electricity prices had
advanced by 77%.

Please visit: www.platts.com

Their coverage of energy matters is extensive!!.