Energy costs for an average household have risen 8% in the last year according to figures from the national statistics office CBS published on Monday.

Annual gas and electricity bills are now €1,869, some €144 higher than 12 months ago, says the CBS. Last week the CBS said the five-year-high in the inflation rate is mainly due to energy costs.
But consumers could save several hundred euros a year by shopping around for gas and electricity, reports today’s Financieele Dagblad.
The paper quotes a half-year review by Prizewize which compares around 330 fixed and variable energy contracts offered by over 20 suppliers. Some energy suppliers increased their prices by 60% in the first six months of the year, claims Prizewize.
Meanwhile, the environment ministry has confirmed that two-thirds of the projects for new wind parks are being delayed because of objections from local people who fear they will reduce the value of their homes.
The ministry looked at the progress of 214 wind power projects. ‘It is positive that so many projects are being developed but there is still a lot of work to be done to get public support,’ a ministry spokesman told ANP news service.
The survey indicates that the national government needs to discuss the situation with local councils and find ways to solve bottlenecks in the planning process, he said. The state might also need to impose stricter targets on where and how many turbines should be placed, the ministry spokesman said.