Energy bills have soared over the past year, and Dutch households will pay an average of €2,800 to have light and heat their homes in 2022, national statistics office CBS said on Friday.

That means, the average household will pay 86% more for energy this year than in 2021 – based on January’s prices, the CBS said.

However, there are major differences in individual household usage and how electricity companies translate this into bills, the CBS said. Couples living in an old, detached house, will see their bills almost double, with a 96% increase, while a single person in a small, new flat will pay 70% more.

Almost half of Dutch households have a variable contract, which means their bills vary with energy prices. Most of the rest have a fixed price contract, and they could face sharply higher monthly payments when that contract expires.

Gas prices are up 92% year on year, while electricity has gone up 52% on average, the CBS said.

The government has cut taxes on energy bills, which will mean a €400 boost – on average, and very low income families can claim an additional €200 from their local council. People claiming welfare benefits (bijstand) will get this automatically.