Electricity Tariffs Comparison Around the World

Usman Bin Younos (May 2019)

Here is a neutral comparison of electricity tariff of different countries and the comparison of Pakistani
Tariff with them. In Order to sketch a realistic comparison as an impact on the average user, we need to
consider the per capita income of the respective countries and what percentage of that income goes
into buying 5000 KWH of electricity, assuming the tariffs remain same throughout the year.

Pakistan has by far the most expensive electricity rates as compared with the rest of the world and the
region. At a per capita income of US$ 5,680 (PKR 804,430 as of 9th May 2019), a Pakistani would spend
13.7% of that income to use 5000 kilowatt-hours (5000 Units) of electricity. The Dubai Electricity and
Water Authority estimates an average of 20,000 kilowatt-hours per person consumption annually.

The average electricity price in the Netherlands is 23 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). This is 28% above
than the average in other EU countries and just three cents below Denmark and Germany, which are the
most expensive in Europe. The price of electricity in Russia, compared to other countries, is low, both for
citizens, private individuals and enterprises. At the same time, tariffs on the electricity market vary from
one region of Russia to another. For example, in 2016, the lowest-priced electricity region in Russia
included Irkutsk region, where the tariff was 0.97 rubles/kWh, Republic of Crimea – 1.74 rubles/kWh,
Sevastopol – 1.75 rubles/kWh, Republic of Khakassia – 1.84 rubles/kWh and in many regions the price of
electricity for the final consumer does not exceed 3 rubles for kWh in Russia.

The cheapest Electricity Prices are seen to be in the middle east with Qatar at Rs. 4.27 per Unit with Iran
and Saudi Arabia in same range. At the opposite side of the spectrum are Germany, Denmark and
Belgium with some of the highest tariffs in the world at over Rs. 45 per Unit (kWh).

Reference:
http://www.lesco.gov.pk/3000063
https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2011/10/27/141766341/the-price-of-electricity-in-your-state
https://www7.tepco.co.jp/ep/rates/electricbill-e.html
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/derc-reduces-power-tariffs-for-
consumers-across-all-categories/articleshow/63526509.cms?from=mdr
https://www.tnb.com.my/residential/pricing-tariffs
https://www.se.com.sa/en-us/customers/Pages/TariffRates.aspx
https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/customer/services/consumption-services/tariff
https://www.ceicdata.com/en/china/electricity-price
https://www.statista.com/statistics/418078/electricity-prices-for-households-in-germany/
https://www.dutchnews.nl/features/2019/05/after-a-e30-rise-in-january-dutch-energy-prices-
among-highest-in-eu/
https://www.ukpower.co.uk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)_per_capita
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Average-Price-per-kWh-of-Electricity-Brazil-vs-
US_fig14_312188704
http://time2save.ru/articles/tarify-na-elektroenergiyu-dlya-melkih-predpriyatiy-v-2018
https://www.km.com.qa/CustomerService/Pages/Tariff.aspx