Italy's energy bill this year jumped a whopping 24.4% to an all-time record of 48 billion euros, equal to 3.3% of GDP, national statistics bureau Istat reported on Friday.
The 10-billion-euro increase over last year was in large part due top soaring crude oil prices as well as higher natural gas prices.
Istat calculated that Italy spent 27.4 billion euros on crude, up five billion euros from 2005, while spending for gas rose from 12.1 billion euros last year to 16.9 billion euros this year.
Part of the increase in energy costs, Istat explained, was the unusually cold weather last winter.
Higher oil prices, which climbed from an average of 51.6 euros a barrel in 2005 to 62.7 euros this year, resulted in prices at the pump jumping by more than double the inflation rate.
Unleaded fuel fuel rose 5.1% this year while diesel rose 4.9%, compared to a forecast inflation rate of just over 2%.
