helsinki, helsinki (prsafe ) June 25, 2012 - Energy think tank VaasaETT today published "The European residential energy price report 2012" Based on the Household Energy Pricing Index, the report is the single most detailed and up to date assessment of end user energy prices ever produced.

The project was established in 2009 to provide much needed, regularly updated, reliable data on retail prices for gas and electricity customers across Europe. Data is collected directly from utilities and authorities in the respective markets using a thorough, precise and comparative definition and methodology.

The 2012 report also introduces the "Savings Tracker" project, savings tracker was started in 2010 and is the only study currently operating that tracks potential savings available to residential customer that switch from their existing energy supplier.

- A huge disparity in pricing across the European Union,

- Average price rises of more than twice the rate of inflation

- Gas and electricity prices can vary by as much as 150% between countries

- Market forces account for only 50% of end user prices

- Customers continue to miss out on savings available by switching suppliers

- Europe's current financial crisis is likely to drive prices higher as governments attempt to secure higher revenues.

Last year's report was downloaded by more than four hundred organisations worldwide, this year the report will be complemented by the projects dedicated website www.energypriceindex.com

The 2012 report is available to download free of charge from the site, also available to download is the monthly HEPI report, HEPI is Europe's only independent comparative monthly index of electricity and gas prices across the EU-15 States. HEPI is increasingly being used by national regulators, journalists and consumer groups to compare and discuss energy prices in their respective countries or at the European level.

About VaasaETT

VaasaETT is a Global Energy Think-Tank, one of the World's top centres for expertise in Utility Customer Psychology, Customer Behaviour and Demand Response in energy markets.

We are also a leading international expert in related issues including Utilities Marketing and Competition, Smart Energy, Smart Home, Smart Grid and Market Structures.

In particular for instance we are the World's leading authority on utility customer switching trends and dynamics; Europe's best source of retail energy price data; and a founding member of the Smart Energy Demand Coalition (SEDC).

Media contacts
Andy White
Head of marketing
VaasaETT Global Energy Think Tank
Andy.white@vaasaett.com
+44 (0) 871 315 334
www.vaasaett.com

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