The debate over a significant increase in electricity prices is back on the agenda.

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It has been claimed that the Energy Market Regulatory Authority will reduce the limit for residential subscribers to an annual 5,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) starting from 2025. In a statement regarding the issue from the Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO), it was stated, "Millions of households with an average monthly consumption exceeding 417 kWh will be billed like high-consuming industrial establishments. If the implementation goes into effect as it is, the bills for these households will reach high values that change every month according to the spot market, even if their consumption remains the same."

IS THE SUPPORT PERIOD FOR ELECTRICITY ENDING?

With the new regulation of the EPDK, it has been suggested that residential and commercial establishments consuming more than 5,000 kilowatt-hours annually will no longer be able to use subsidized electricity. It was expressed that the claim, which quickly became a topic on social media, could lead to increased bills for high-consuming subscribers with the implementation set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

The Chamber of Electrical Engineers made a statement on the matter. In the statement, it was reminded that the Minister of Treasury and Finance, Mehmet Şimşek, stated during his speech at the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission regarding the Budget Discussions that 500.4 billion TL of the 748.7 billion TL source to be transferred to state-owned enterprises from the 2024 budget would be used for energy subsidies.

"UNACCEPTABLE"

The Board of Directors of the Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) stated in a press release regarding the Last Resort Supply Tariff Regulation that consumers falling under the scope of the Regulation are condemned to tariffs that directly reflect the costs of the free market, and expressed that it is 'unacceptable' to reflect market conditions on individuals who have no chance to take precautions against rising costs in households.

"BILL WILL INCREASE EVEN IF CONSUMPTION REMAINS THE SAME"

The Chamber of Electrical Engineers noted that in their calculations, it has been assumed for years that a family of four would consume a minimum of 230 kWh of energy monthly, stating, "This value has been accepted by the EPDK for ease of calculation as 240 kWh monthly, corresponding to 8 kWh daily, and this consumption value has started to be used for the low tier. The mentioned 417 kWh will become a new tier. Millions of households with an average monthly consumption exceeding 417 kWh will be billed like high-consuming industrial establishments. If the implementation goes into effect as it is, the bills for these households will reach high values that change every month according to the spot market, even if their consumption remains the same," it was stated.

The Chamber of Electrical Engineers announced that they would take the matter to court for the cancellation of the said regulation and called on all citizens affected by the change to protect their consumer rights.

DEMAND FOR A SOCIALIST PROGRAM

In a statement from EMO, it was emphasized that the public should make direct investments instead of energy tenders containing purchase and price guarantees to limit the impact of energy costs on inflation, stating, "It is now essential to implement a socialist energy program prepared with a development perspective to navigate the economic crisis with minimal damage. In this context, a vertically integrated public monopoly that will manage all processes from production to distribution in the electricity sector should be re-established."

MINISTER BAYRAKTAR SAID "NO PRICE INCREASE IN JANUARY"

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar spoke about the electricity and natural gas price increase. Minister Bayraktar stated that there would be no price increase in energy in the new year, saying, "There is no agenda for a price increase in electricity and natural gas in January."

DID THE PRICE INCREASE MOVE TO FEBRUARY?

After Minister Bayraktar's statement, attention turned to February. Social media users, while consumers stated that all price increases would occur in January, expressed concerns that a significant increase might happen in February.