01.11.2026 12:12
The Consumer Protection Association (TÜKODER) has reacted to the EPDK's reduction of the annual electricity consumption limit for residential subscribers from 4,000 kWh to 3,000 kWh starting January 1, 2027. The association stated that approximately 6.5 million residential subscribers could face higher and variable bills, and warned that large families, low-income people, retirees, and households heating with electricity would also be affected.
(ANKARA) -
The Consumer Protection Association (TÜKODER) stated that with the Energy Market Regulatory Authority's (EPDK) reduction of the annual electricity consumption limit for residential subscribers from 4,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 3,000 kilowatt-hours as of January 1, 2027, approximately 6.5 million more residential subscribers may face higher and variable electricity bills.
MONTHLY NEED OF A FOUR-PERSON FAMILY IS 230 KILOWATT-HOURS
In the statement made by TÜKODER, it was noted that, according to the findings of the Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO), the minimum electricity need of a four-person family is approximately 230 kilowatt-hours per month, and that this calculation does not include heating, cooling and hot water needs. In the statement, which drew attention to the fact that the annual 3,000 kilowatt-hour limit set by the new regulation corresponds to a monthly average of 250 kilowatt-hours, it was said, "Since when has the electricity a family uses to meet its basic living needs been considered luxury consumption?"
In the statement, which noted that residential subscribers exceeding the annual 3,000 kilowatt-hour limit will be confronted with a tariff approach based on market costs, which is also taken as a basis in the pricing of commercial activities, the following expressions were used: "A citizen who uses electricity at home to meet the basic needs of their family and a business that consumes electricity for commercial profit cannot be evaluated with the same understanding. This understanding, which sees the consumer as a trader and abandons basic living needs to market conditions, should be abandoned."
In the statement, which stated that the regulation will affect not only high-consumption subscribers but also large families, low-income people, retirees, households heated by electricity and citizens who have to use electrical devices due to health reasons, it was also criticized that 2026 consumption is taken as the basis in determining the 2027 tariff and that the decision was announced two months before the end of the year. It was noted that this situation creates serious problems in terms of informing consumers in advance and legal predictability.
REDUCING ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION IS NOT ALWAYS SAVING
In the statement, which drew attention to the fact that millions of citizens have to choose among food, rent, transportation, health and energy expenses, it was expressed that imposing new burdens on electricity bills will further deepen poverty. Stating that energy poverty is not only being unable to pay the bill, it was said, "It is being unable to heat one's home for fear of the bill, unable to cool down in summer, and having to give up one's basic needs. Reducing electricity consumption is not always saving; sometimes it is a compulsory renunciation imposed by poverty."
In the statement, which also opposed the carrying out of electricity distribution services according to the profit expectations of private companies, it was stated that all responsibility for increasing costs cannot be imposed on the consumer without adequately questioning production and distribution costs, losses and thefts, companies' profits and market conditions.
In the statement, it was demanded that privatization policies in electricity distribution be abandoned and that services be carried out directly by the public.
WITHDRAWAL OF THE LIMIT DEMANDED
TÜKODER demanded that the Last Resort Supply Tariff limit, set at 3,000 kilowatt-hours per year for residential subscribers, be withdrawn and that residential consumers be kept outside commercial market pricing. The association also called for the implementation of a social tariff taking into account household income, the number of people living in the family, climate conditions and mandatory energy needs, for consumers' annual electricity consumption to be clearly shown on their bills, and for them to be informed in advance of tariff changes.