Electricity in Europe is twice as expensive as in the United States and over 50% more expensive than in China.

Omissions

• The IEA comparison that matches the claim most closely refers specifically to electricity prices for energy-intensive industries, not to all electricity consumers (household price gaps differ and are generally smaller).
• The IEA wording is 'nearly 50% above those in China', while the claim states 'over 50% more expensive than China'; the China gap is thus slightly overstated (BusinessEurope's 2024 industrial price data would actually imply an even larger gap of roughly 2.4x vs China).
• The IEA report (Electricity 2026) was published in January 2026, before the 2026-07-07 session, so the MEP could have known it; BusinessEurope's data covers 2024.

Sources

• PrimaryIEA — Electricity 2026, PricesEU electricity prices for energy-intensive industries stayed elevated in 2025, again averaging over twice US levels and nearly 50% above those in China. EU futures prices as of 26 January 2026 averaged around USD 95/MWh for 2026, broadly in line with 2025 levels.
• SecondaryBusinessEurope — Data Hub: High cost of energyIn 2024, industrial electricity prices in the EU reached €0.199 per kWh, compared to €0.082 in China and €0.075 in the U.S. This stark price disparity directly impacts the EU's industrial competitiveness.
• SecondaryBalkan Green Energy NewsThe average price this year in the EU is expected to be twice as high as in the US and about 50% higher than in China, according to IEA (Electricity Mid-Year Update 2025).