Utility tariffs in Malta have gone down by 26.8%, as opposed to the rest of the European Union, where tariffs have increased by 2.9%, according to statistics published by Eurostat.

The highest increase was registered in France, where electricity tariffs went up by 10.2%. Malta now has the third lowest electricity prices among all members of the EU. Denmark has the highest price of electricity, at €30.35/100Kw.

In a statement, the government said that Maltese families are paying €12.47 for every 100 KW of energy consumed, while the European consumer pays an average of €20.79. In 2012, the price of electricity stood at €16.80 per 100 KW and was the twelfth highest within the EU.

The government noted that during the last five years Nationalist administration, electricity tariffs increased by 68%, as opposed to an average of 26% across Europe. In the past two years, prices have gone up 6.4%.

 Such figures the government said are proof that the administration’s plan is successful, and not a gimmick as the PN had said.