The European Commission has announced it will thoroughly investigate the retail electricity market across the EU, as the sector emerges as one of the most dissatisfying among consumers.

A Commission spokesman told The Times that, although the investigation will be carried out across the board, Malta will be given particular attention due to the recent change in prices and the fact its electricity market operates in a monopoly by a state-owned company.

The island is currently engaged in a fierce debate over whether the new water and electricity bills were computed on the right data and if these should be revised.

The EU's second annual Consumers Markets Scoreboard portrays a similar discontent on energy supply and prices among EU citizens.

According to the report, which does not go into specific national data, less than two thirds of EU consumers are satisfied with their energy supplier and the subject of electricity scores particularly badly in terms of reported price increases.

"About 60 per cent of consumers reported price increases from their energy supplier, while just three per cent saw price decreases," the report states. Electricity also scores badly in two other important consumer benchmarks, namely comparability of offers and ease of switching.

Energy was the sector where consumers were least likely to change suppliers, with only eight per cent switching over the last year. In Malta, switching is impossible as electricity is only supplied by state-run company, Enemalta.

These results from the power market have prompted the EU to conduct a serious investigation into the sector.

"We don't think we need new laws regulating the market, but we are convinced we need to make sure the current rules are being followed and enforced," Consumer Affairs Commissioner Maglena Kuneva said during a press conference yesterday.

"We will investigate the situation in every country, to establish if EU rules are being adhered to and if the competent regulatory authorities are doing their job properly."

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