Der Preis der Energiewende: Anstieg der Kostenbelastung einkommensschwacher Haushalte
Since the introduction of the Renewable Energy Act in 2000, the electricity prices of German households have doubled. This increase implies a particular burden for millions of poor households, as they have to spend a larger share of their income to cover their electricity cost than affluent households. For three types of low-income households, this article investigates the evolution of their electricity cost burden relative to their income. According to our estimations on the basis of empirical data on the energy consumption of German households, these types of households had to pay more for power in 2016 than for satisfying their energy demand for heating purposes. This stylized fact is all the more relevant as the electricity prices are most likely increasing further due to Germany’s energy transition. This prospect urgently calls for measures to dampen future electricity price increases and to reduce the regressive effects of former price rises.
Frondel, M. and S. Sommer (2018), Der Preis der Energiewende: Anstieg der Kostenbelastung einkommensschwacher Haushalte. List Forum für Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik, 44, 3, 335-356