Turkey hikes electricity prices by 15 percent, natural gas by 12 percent

* Photo: George Becker / Pexels

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The electricity prices have been increased by 15 percent for all consumer categories in Turkey, starting from July 1, 2021.

Natural gas prices have also been increased by 12 percent for households, by 20 percent for industrial facilities and 20 percent for the power stations operating for purposes of power production.

According to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), the reason for hiking the electricity prices is "the cost increases in power generation."

While the EPDK has announced that the price increase will be in effect as of today (July 1), a household will pay 91,56 Turkish Lira (10,55 US dollars) for 100 kilowatt-hour, including taxes and funds.

With this recent price increase, the electricity prices have been hiked by 122 percent in the last three and a half years.

According to the price list shared with the public by the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ) yesterday, the natural gas prices have also increased seven times in Turkey since January 2021. In other words, the natural gas prices increased in the country every month this year.

With this recent price increase, a household will pay 1,488.90 Turkish Lira (171,2 US dollars) for 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas.

Opposition has denounced the price increases

After the price increases were reported in the press, several opposition politicians have expressed their harsh criticism on social media.

Faik Öztrak, the Spokesperson for the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has reminded the public of a speech made by Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, who reportedly said, "Turkey's economy will rear up in July." Öztrak has said, "There is no other government on the face of the earth that mocks the minds of its citizens to such an extent."

Future Party Chair Ahmet Davutoğlu has also posted a message on social media and criticized the government, saying, "It is as if the government vowed to nail down whatever possession citizens have."

In his message about the issue, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Garo Paylan has referred to a circular which was issued by President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday and introduced a series of public saving measures:

They increased the electricity price by 15 percent on the day when they set up a Price Stability Committee. This is no joke.

İYİ Party Vice Chair Bahadır Erdem has also said, "I am saying this not as a politician but as a citizen who pays the earth every month: May God put you through what you make this nation go through. Enough is enough." (TP/SD)