Privatizing the grid doesn't appear to have hurt the United Kingdom any. Quite the contrary. When it comes to electricity, at least, Britannia still rules to some extent.
Industrial prices in the United Kingdom continue to be among the most competitive in the world, according to an Electricity Association (EA) survey. Industrial contract prices are now 49 percent cheaper than in Japan, and 41 percent less than in Germany. Average prices in Italy, Spain, and the United States are also more expensive.
Domestic customers in the United Kingdom are also paying 38 percent less than in Japan, 32 percent less than in Germany, and 23 percent less than in France. U.K. residential prices are also lower than those in Denmark, Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
International Electricity Prices surveyed over 40 utilities from 24 countries to compare average electricity prices and other tariff information as of January 1, 1995. All prices were determined on a rigorous like-for-like basis (em calculated by the EA, the utilities themselves, or the appropriate national organizations. Where more than one tariff is available to customers, the lowest tariff was used. t