22.10.2026 11:43
As the winter months approach, natural gas consumption is expected to increase, while the capital of the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) has been increased from 200 billion lira to 350 billion lira. Energy sector experts, noting that the increase in natural gas import costs is not reflected in the domestic market, stated that natural gas and electricity prices could be raised by around 21 percent in 2027.
Türkiye uses predominantly natural gas both in industry and in the heating of cities. The country's annual consumption also hovers around 55-60 billion cubic meters. Türkiye meets a significant portion of its natural gas requirement through imports, either as natural gas via pipelines or as liquefied natural gas LNG.
Türkiye imports natural gas via pipelines from Russia and Azerbaijan, and LNG from Algeria, France and Russia, primarily the US.
NATURAL GAS PRICES ARE BREAKING RECORDS
Tensions in global markets are causing natural gas prices, as well as Brent crude oil, to rise to historic levels. At TTF, the benchmark price of the European natural gas market (at the gas exchange in the Netherlands), the price of one cubic meter of gas rose above 1 dollar.
Energy sector experts, in their statement to ANKA, pointing out that Türkiye's natural gas import portfolio consists of pipeline gas agreements and LNG contracts, said: 'In BOTAŞ's oil-indexed contracts, Brent crude oil; in its contracts indexed to European gas trading centers, and in spot LNG purchases, TTF prices are influential in determining the import price of natural gas. The simultaneous rise in oil and natural gas prices increases the weighted average import cost of the gas BOTAŞ supplies from different sources.'
The experts, drawing attention to the increase in natural gas consumption in residences and commercial premises, especially during the winter months, said: 'To meet this consumption, LNG imports will come onto the agenda. Accordingly, Türkiye's LNG supply costs will increase. This will create a significant cost pressure on natural gas.'
BOTAŞ'S CAPITAL WAS INCREASED
BOTAŞ made an important move in a period when global price pressure and, with the winter season, natural gas consumption for heating purposes in cities increased. BOTAŞ's capital was raised from 200 billion TL to 350 billion TL.
The experts evaluated this step by BOTAŞ as follows:
'BOTAŞ's natural gas import costs are rising. BOTAŞ is not increasing natural gas sales prices in the domestic market at the same rate. Subsidies continue to a certain extent, especially for residences. For this reason, the company is expected to close 2026 with a loss as well. Under these conditions, it increased its capital in a sense out of necessity. It raised it from 200 billion TL to 350 billion TL.'
INFLATION-COMPATIBLE INCREASE
Recalling that a tiered tariff has been introduced to reduce subsidies for residences, the experts said: 'This practice will cause the bills of very broad segments to multiply. Despite this, it is stated that there is a need for an increase in natural gas, especially for residences.'
Stating that an increase in natural gas and electricity compatible with the inflation target will come onto the agenda, the experts said: 'The government's 2027 inflation target is 21 percent. In the new year, an increase in natural gas and electricity at this rate and converging to this rate can be expected.'