Companies could be paying much more for their electricity because of the catastrophe that hit Japan, as the whole nuclear power sector is shaken up.
Following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan just three weeks ago, which destroyed four reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, electricity prices in Europe have already shot up by 10%.
This could be enhanced further by stricter stress tests to be imposed on nuclear power plants in Europe, because any closures will eventually reflect on prices. Household customers are protected by the national regulator URSO, which caps energy prices for the residential segment.