Household energy prices rose again in December for the first time in four months. Compared to November they rose by 1.7 percent, while general inflation was 0.6 percent. Year-on-year, household energy in December was still 6.8 percent cheaper than the year before, according to the energy price index calculated by the Austrian Energy Agency. The general CPI rose by 1.2 percent.
For most of 2020, energy prices were at a relatively low level, recalled Peter Traupmann, the managing director of the energy agency. The main trigger was the corona-related decline in demand. With the hope of a global economic recovery, the demand for energy will rise again – and prices will tend to move towards pre-crisis levels. This is also expected by analysts.
After a slight price increase in November, heating oil rose in December by a hefty 8.2 percent – but year-on-year it was still 25.7 percent less. Diesel went up by 3.7 percent and premium gasoline by 1.9 percent on a monthly basis, but within a year, diesel was 13.6 percent cheaper and premium gasoline was 13.5 percent less.
Gas prices in December were 2.1 percent below the previous year's figure, district heating was 1.6 percent cheaper. Electricity cost 5.0 percent more in December than a year earlier. Wood pellets were 2.3 percent cheaper and firewood 1.2 percent.
Compared to November 2020, wood pellets were 0.7 percent cheaper in December, and firewood was 0.5 percent more expensive. There were no monthly price changes for electricity, gas and district heating.
