Electricity prices skyrocket: Report

Electricity prices have skyrocketed over the past five years, with new research showing hikes of more than 50 per cent in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Electricity prices in parts of Australia have increased at nearly four times the rate of inflation, according to the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA).

Examining data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, IPA researcher Julie Novak found prices in Sydney had jumped 61.3 per cent since 2005 while Melbourne increased by 56.8 per cent.

Brisbane's prices soared by 50.7 per cent, Canberra 45.9 per cent and Darwin 35.9 per cent.

Perth and Adelaide experienced the smallest hikes at 35.8 per cent and 16 per cent respectively, according to the research published on Thursday.

The increase in consumer prices between 2005 and 2010 was 16 per cent.

Ms Novak said Australia had ample sources of energy and people were paying "far too much" for electricity.

"Given that the typical household has a power bill of $1,000 it's no surprise families are suffering under the weight of rising living costs," she said in statement.

Ms Novak said prices were pushed up by renewable energy initiatives and that governments hadn't invested in electricity generation.

"In addition, energy companies are reluctant to make new capital investments because of uncertainty about carbon emission reduction schemes," she said.

Ms Novak said a carbon tax would put more pressure on electricity prices.

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