The Utility Regulator has published a report which, for the first time, which provides a comparison of electricity prices in Northern Ireland with the rest of Europe.

The three key findings of the report, which shows comparative prices for 2011, (the most recent available for 15 EU member states) are:

• for domestic consumers, prices were around the EU average;

• for very small industrial and commercial (I&C) consumers, electricity prices were also around the EU average. Small I&C consumers account for around 70% of all non-domestic consumers in Northern Ireland; and

• for the remaining 30% of I&C consumers electricity prices were among the highest in Europe.

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Commenting on the publication of the report, Utility Regulator Chief Executive, Shane Lynch, said: "Energy prices are the subject of much debate in Northern Ireland and indeed throughout Europe. This is understandable, as these prices impact on important social and economic issues within every jurisdiction, for example on fuel poverty and industrial competitiveness.

"Several stakeholders have asked us about comparisons between electricity prices in Northern Ireland and other parts of Europe. It is important that there is transparency on energy pricing and we therefore made a commitment to collate and publish such data. The data will also be a useful basis for framing discussion around factors affecting energy prices going forward.

"Clearly aspects of the data require some discussion, not least of which is the finding which shows that larger electricity users are paying nearly the highest prices in Europe. We suggest that market size/economy of scale issues, fuel mix at the wholesale level, energy policy (including taxation) and regulation may be drivers of regional price variances and more work needs done to better understand these impacts in our market."

(CD)