Global electricity retail prices – quick heads-up please

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#1 21682096 05 Mar 2019 16:51

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #1
21682096 05 Mar 2019 16:51

I'm hoping to take a snapshot of electricity prices around the world and would really appreciate a quick post with your current electricity tariffs wherever you are.For comparison Britain has been hit with huge rises over the past year due to increased wholesale prices and my own electric bill has jumped a good 30% or more. So I'm paying 16.2 pence per kWh (US$ 0.22 per kWh) for electric and 3.6 pence per kWh (US$0.047) for gas.Addition is £86 per year 'standing charges' for meter rental. In Britain we're no longer tied to the local monopoly power co. and can switch national suppliers to get a better rate but they are all broadly the same (ish).So how much do you pay for electricity folks? Thanks!
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#2 21682097 05 Mar 2019 19:10

Rick Curl Rick Curl

Anonymous

Post #2
21682097 05 Mar 2019 19:10

Hi Alan-The residential rate here in Alabama is as follows:
Base charge: $14.50
First 750 KWH: $0.102269/KWH
Over 750 KWH: $0.090269/KWHDo you need the commercial rate too?
-Rick
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#3 21682098 05 Mar 2019 20:12

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #3
21682098 05 Mar 2019 20:12

Thanks Rick,Is the base charge a monthly one? (I just wanted to look at residential rates.)-- Alan W
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#4 21682099 05 Mar 2019 20:30

Rick Curl Rick Curl

Anonymous

Post #4
21682099 05 Mar 2019 20:30

Unfortunately, yes.
It's not as bad as the base charge for water and sewer service, though.-Rick
#5 21682100 05 Mar 2019 21:01

Max Maxfield Max Maxfield

Anonymous

Post #5
21682100 05 Mar 2019 21:01

Hi Alan -- I'm in Huntsville Alabama, about 90 miles north of Rick, who is near Birmingham Alabama. I'm not sure about the base charge Rick mentions -- on my bill from the utility company it's broken out into: Gas, Electric, Trash, and TaxFor electric, last month's bill was $158.91 for 1555KWH = ~$0.10 per KWHFor gas, last month's bill was $157.24 for 16600 CUF = ~$0.0095 per CUF (I'm assuming CUF stands for "cubic feet") but I have no idea how that relates to KWH
#6 21682101 05 Mar 2019 22:11

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #6
21682101 05 Mar 2019 22:11

Hi Max, Hmm, you have to buy everything from one utility supplier? We get to choose energy suppliers on an open market, but water/drainage/ sewage and trash are supplied by the local authorities. Hence my electricity & gas is bought from EDF (Électricité de France), believe it or not. You can even swap tariffs automatically to the cheapest using a service like Weflip.
I rushed outside to look, my gas meter displays in ft³ as well, which EDF converts to kWh as follows:
no. ft³ used × 2.83 × calorific value (39.4) × volume correction (1.02264) ÷ 3.6
so (my bill) 312 ft³ is 9882 kWh. The UK Gov't regs behind this calculation are here.
16,600 ft³ a month sounds a heckuva lot! (Are you running a steelworks? lol)
-- Alan W
#7 21682102 05 Mar 2019 23:55

Max Maxfield Max Maxfield

Anonymous

Post #7
21682102 05 Mar 2019 23:55

@Alan: "...Are you running a steelworks..."Well, the temperatures have been real cold and we use gas heating -- and a gas cook-top, but I think the big draw is the gas hot water heater because my son lives in his shower and my wife lives in her bath LOL
#8 21682103 06 Mar 2019 13:24

David Ashton David Ashton

Anonymous

Post #8
21682103 06 Mar 2019 13:24

Alan - I am in Australia and payA$ 127 per month "Supply charge" which is fixed per dayA$ 0.31 per KWH for most of my powerA$ 0.15 per KWH for about 10% of my power which is on a special tariffAt the moment the A$ is about 53 of your pence. So halve those figures for a rough comparison with GB Pounds.it is possible to get fairly good discounts (up to 25%) on usage rates, but most of them are time limited (mine were and they didn't tell me they'd expired) and various special tariffs exist depending on whether they can dump your load during peaks, etc.Hope this helps // Cheers // David
#9 21682104 06 Mar 2019 22:11

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #9
21682104 06 Mar 2019 22:11

Thanks David,Seems you're paying pretty much the same as UK prices for kWh but a AU$127 supply charge (or standing charge) per month seems very harsh, nearly 10 times more expensive than Britain.Thanks again Alan W
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#10 21682105 06 Mar 2019 22:17

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #10
21682105 06 Mar 2019 22:17

If anyone's interested in power generation, 20 years ago I was the guest of National Power when I took apart a newly built 600MW CCGT gas-fired power station. I figured out the electricity production and distribution process from North Sea gas through to the mains outlet in our homes. It's based on UK supply architecture but is quite similar to other countries that use British-built plant. US systems are different.
I made a web-enabled version here http://www.epemag.net/electricity-generation1.html
They recently demolished it because it was too expensive to run, yet we have a bordlerline electricity shortfall in Britain. Then they demolished the 1GW plant next to it, as well.
-- Alan W
#11 21682106 07 Mar 2019 02:46

Rick Curl Rick Curl

Anonymous

Post #11
21682106 07 Mar 2019 02:46

That's a GREAT article, Alan. I want to read over it again when I get home. One thing that got my attention is the "Static Starting Device" on the stream turbines. I just assumed that when you turn on the steam they start to spin. Very interesting stuff!
-Rick
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#12 21682107 07 Mar 2019 06:56

Aubrey Kagan Aubrey Kagan

Anonymous

Post #12
21682107 07 Mar 2019 06:56

AlanGiving details on Ontario's billing could be difficult. It is possible to sign a contract for a fixed price over a period of years although there are fixed overheads like "delivery" and perhaps some others. There is also the option of equal billing- where there is a kind of averaging based on historical data to cover the heavy usage during summer months where the air conditioners kick in. I know it may be hard to believe to some, but Toronto can sit at 30-35 deg C for days at a time in the summer. Heating, water heaters are on natural gas, but our stove/oven is electric as is the circulatory fan in the central heating/cooling. You can also get load shedding, but I am unsure as to the cost implication, other than you don't use electricity at the peak rate.
At any rate this is our last bill we received. We have not opted for any of the above and so we pay the spot rate. Winter On-Peak, 122.09kWh @$0.132 $16.12Winter Mid-Peak, 86.44kWh @$0.094 $8.13Winter Off-Peak, 427.48kWh @$0.065 $27.79Delivery $35.56Regulatory $2.82 (I think this is paying off the utility's debt)Total $90.42Add to that a sales tax of $11.75, and then a rebate of 8% 7.24 credit (to buy our votes in the last election) gives a total of $94.93The Canadian dollar at the moment trades at US$0.75 so in US$ we pay about $71 in winter months.in GBP (0.57) that is just over 54 pounds.
#13 21682108 07 Mar 2019 08:26

Richard Gabric Richard Gabric

Anonymous

Post #13
21682108 07 Mar 2019 08:26

I'm in New Zealand. Most power here is hydro, with some wind and solar on a small scale. Coal and gas for peak.We have a fixed charge of around NZ$1.00 per dayUser charge of around NZ$0.23 a unit.We get NZ$0.08 a unit credit for solar off our roof.There is some variation on these figures, depending on peak hour usage, contractual period, dual metering for ripple control. etc.Power distribution and retail sales are deregulated, there are a number of companies competing for customers, and some are involved in gas and internet distribution as well.Cheers,Richard
#14 21682109 07 Mar 2019 19:03

PeterTraneus Anderson PeterTraneus Anderson

Anonymous

Post #14
21682109 07 Mar 2019 19:03

The static starting device is needed for the GAS turbines.
#15 21682110 07 Mar 2019 20:48

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #15
21682110 07 Mar 2019 20:48

Thanks Aubrey and Richard for your figures. Fascinating to see the variances in unit cost and standing (fixed) charges! I'm surprised how pricey the fixed costs are in some countries .Cheers -- Alan W
#16 21682111 08 Mar 2019 01:59

Rick Curl Rick Curl

Anonymous

Post #16
21682111 08 Mar 2019 01:59

Thanks, Peter. I realized that when I read through the article again last night. It makes more sense now.-Rick
#17 21682112 09 Mar 2019 07:24

Elizabeth Simon Elizabeth Simon

Anonymous

Post #17
21682112 09 Mar 2019 07:24

For Washington State (from my power company's web site)Electric:MONTHLY RATE:
$9.00 Basic Charge, plus
First 800 kWh     7.533¢ per kWh
Next 700 kWh     8.765¢ per kWh
All over 1500 kWh 10.276¢ per kWh
Minimum Charge : $9.00Natural Gas:
MONTHLY RATE: Per Meter Per Month
Basic Charge $9.50
Charge Per Therm: First 70      Over 70Base Rate                   0.36723$ (R)    0.47729$ (R)Billing Rate          0.65426$ (R)    0.76432$ (R)
Minimum Charge: $9.50On the natural gas, I'm not sure what rate I'm payingThere is a conversion between Cubic feet (what is actually metered) and Therms (what is billed) but I'm not sure what that is since it depends on the energy content of the gas.
#18 21682113 19 Mar 2019 21:18

Edward Chase Edward Chase

Anonymous

Post #18
21682113 19 Mar 2019 21:18

We are all lucky. In the South Sudanese town where I do charity work it's around $0.50 a unit and only runs 1/4 of the time. That is from a town diesel generator . No county wide grid there or mains gas. I get involved in installing solar systems so they have an alternative to this $0.50 and to cover outages.
#19 21682114 19 Mar 2019 21:38

Alan Winstanley Alan Winstanley

Anonymous

Post #19
21682114 19 Mar 2019 21:38

Thanks (Elizabeth and Edward) for details of the tariffs paid. Yes, we don't know how lucky we are - flick a switch or turn a tap (fawcett) and we have light, heat and water.
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Topic summary

The discussion provides a comparative overview of residential electricity and gas tariffs from various global locations. In the UK, electricity costs approximately 16.2 pence (US$0.22) per kWh with a standing charge of £86 annually, and gas at 3.6 pence (US$0.047) per kWh. Alabama residential rates include a base monthly charge of $14.50, with tiered electricity rates of $0.102269/kWh for the first 750 kWh and $0.090269/kWh thereafter. Huntsville, Alabama reports about $0.10 per kWh for electricity and $0.0095 per cubic foot for gas. Australia features a high fixed supply charge of A$127 per month, with usage rates around A$0.31 per kWh and discounted tariffs available. Ontario, Canada uses time-of-use rates with on-peak electricity at $0.132/kWh and mid-peak at $0.094/kWh, alongside options for fixed-price contracts and load shedding. New Zealand’s electricity is primarily hydro-based, with a fixed daily charge of NZ$1.00 and user charges near NZ$0.23 per kWh, including solar feed-in credits. Washington State electricity rates include a $9.00 basic monthly charge with tiered rates from 7.533 to 10.276 cents per kWh. South Sudan experiences extremely high costs (~$0.50 per kWh) from diesel generators with limited grid availability, prompting solar alternatives. The UK’s electricity generation infrastructure was also discussed, including combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants and the use of static starting devices for gas turbines. The conversation highlights the variability in fixed charges, tiered pricing, deregulation, and the impact of wholesale prices on retail tariffs worldwide.
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Global electricity retail prices – quick heads-up please

FAQ

TL;DR: Snapshot: UK 2019 home electricity was 16.2 p/kWh; “we’re no longer tied to the local monopoly power co.” Use your bill’s fixed and per‑kWh lines to compare. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]

Why it matters: For homeowners, makers, and energy tinkerers comparing tariffs worldwide to cut bills and plan projects.

Quick Facts

UK example: 16.2 p/kWh electricity, 3.6 p/kWh gas, plus £86/year standing charge. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]
Alabama residential: $14.50 base charge; $0.102269/kWh first 750 kWh, then $0.090269/kWh. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682097]
Washington State tiers: $9 basic; 7.533¢/kWh first 800, 8.765¢ next 700, 10.276¢ over 1500. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682112]
Australia example: A$127/month supply; A$0.31/kWh main, A$0.15/kWh special ~10% usage. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682103]
New Zealand: ~NZ$1/day fixed, ~NZ$0.23/kWh usage, ~NZ$0.08/kWh solar credit. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682108]

What were UK home energy prices in the thread’s snapshot?

The UK poster paid 16.2 p/kWh for electricity and 3.6 p/kWh for gas, plus £86/year standing charges. They could switch national suppliers, but rates were broadly similar. This provides a baseline for 2019 comparisons when benchmarking projects or device power costs. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]

How do Alabama residential electricity rates and base charges work?

One Alabama bill listed a $14.50 monthly base charge. Energy cost was $0.102269/kWh for the first 750 kWh, then $0.090269/kWh above 750 kWh. To estimate a bill, multiply usage in each tier by its rate and add the base charge. This tiered model rewards lower consumption. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682097]

Is the base charge in Alabama monthly?

Yes. A respondent confirmed the base charge is monthly. It’s separate from per‑kWh charges and similar to fixed service fees on water or sewer. Track it because fixed fees can erode savings from low usage or solar exports. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682099]

What did an actual Huntsville, Alabama electric bill look like?

A Huntsville bill showed $158.91 for 1,555 kWh, or about $0.10/kWh effective before taxes and other services. The same household used natural gas for heating, cooking, and hot water, illustrating mixed‑fuel homes where electricity and gas both matter for total energy cost. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682100]

How do I convert natural‑gas cubic feet to kWh like on a UK bill?

Use: ft³ × 2.83 × calorific value (e.g., 39.4) × volume correction (e.g., 1.02264) ÷ 3.6. A poster’s example converted 312 ft³ to 9,882 kWh using that method. Quote: “The UK Gov’t regs behind this calculation are here.” Check your supplier’s CV and factor. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682101]

What does time‑of‑use (TOU) pricing look like in Ontario?

An Ontario bill showed TOU winter rates: On‑Peak 12.2¢/kWh (122.09 kWh), Mid‑Peak 9.4¢/kWh (86.44 kWh), Off‑Peak 6.5¢/kWh (427.48 kWh), plus Delivery and Regulatory line items, sales tax, and an 8% rebate. Equal billing and load‑shedding options also exist. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682107]

How high can fixed charges run in Australia?

One Australian user reported A$127 per month supply charge. Usage was A$0.31/kWh for most consumption and A$0.15/kWh on a special tariff for about 10% of power. Discounts up to 25% may be time‑limited, so check expiry dates. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682103]

What are typical New Zealand home electricity charges and solar credits?

A New Zealand poster cited about NZ$1/day fixed charge and NZ$0.23/kWh usage. Their solar feed‑in credit was around NZ$0.08/kWh. They noted deregulated retail markets, optional ripple‑control tariffs, and bundle deals with gas or internet. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682108]

How do Washington State tiered rates compare?

An example tariff listed a $9 monthly basic charge. Energy: 7.533¢/kWh for the first 800 kWh, 8.765¢ for the next 700 kWh, and 10.276¢ over 1,500 kWh. Natural gas had separate basic and per‑therm charges. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682112]

What’s an extreme case for electricity price and reliability in the thread?

A South Sudan town powered by a diesel generator charged about $0.50 per kWh, with supply available only a quarter of the time. Edge case: Planning critical loads without storage can fail when uptime is 25%. Solar systems were deployed to cover outages. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682113]

How can I estimate my monthly bill on a tiered plan?

Quick method: 1) Find your kWh. 2) Split usage across tiers. 3) Multiply and add fixed fees. Example using a Washington plan: 1,600 kWh costs 800×$0.07533 + 700×$0.08765 + 100×$0.10276 + $9 basic. This yields an estimate before taxes and riders. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682112]

Can UK customers switch electricity suppliers to save money?

Yes. A UK poster wrote, “we’re no longer tied to the local monopoly power co. and can switch national suppliers,” and noted services that auto‑switch to the cheapest tariff. Always compare unit rates and standing charges together. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682096]

What’s an example of a combined utility bill with multiple services?

One Alabama bill bundled Gas, Electric, Trash, and Tax on a single statement. The electric portion was about $0.10/kWh effective for that month. Bundled billing can hide line‑item changes; track each service separately for trend analysis. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682100]

Where can I learn the end‑to‑end path from fuel to socket (CCGT plant)?

A poster shared a detailed, web‑enabled walkthrough of a 600 MW combined‑cycle gas turbine station, from North Sea gas to home outlets, based on UK architecture and noting US differences. “That’s a GREAT article,” replied another user. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682105]

Do gas turbines need special starters?

Yes. A participant clarified that the static starting device is needed for gas turbines, not for steam turbines. This matters when understanding plant startup systems and auxiliary power demands in generation design. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #21682109]

Global electricity retail prices – quick heads-up please

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Topic summary