A spike in utility bills, new government hardship grant regulations and growing unemployment rates have brought power disconnections in WA to a six-year high, a new report by the Economic Regulation Authority shows.

According to the report, which was released on Friday, 19,743 West Australians had their power switched off for not paying a bill in 2017/18.

That's 3808 more than the previous financial year.

The report identified the state government's increase in daily fixed charges as one of the main reasons behind the surge in electricity prices, which cost consumers an estimated $170 a year extra.