Turkey warns of doubled natural gas bills for some subscribers this winter

Turkey's introduction of a tiered natural gas tariff system in April has shifted the pricing structure for residential consumers, dividing them into two groups based on consumption levels. Users in "Kademe-1" pay 16.23 Turkish Lira per cubic meter, while those in "Kademe-2" face a higher rate of 26.13 Lira, including taxes and system usage fees.

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The application could reach up to 35 to 40 percent of subscribers.

Initially, the government projected that only about 12% of residential customers would be affected by the tiered pricing. However, industry insiders now warn that the approaching winter months, with their increased demand for heating, could dramatically expand the reach of this system. Sources indicate that as many as 35% to 40% of Turkey's approximately 23 million residential natural gas subscribers might fall into the higher-priced "Kademe-2" bracket.

This potential surge in affected households has raised concerns about significant bill increases, particularly in November and December. Industry representatives are highlighting the possibility of public discontent if consumers face unexpectedly high charges. The tiered system could also lead to higher costs for residents in large apartment complexes that rely on central heating. In such buildings, the total gas consumption is divided among all units, meaning if the complex exceeds its limit, all residents will be charged the higher rate.

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Serious increases can be seen in natural gas bills in November and especially in December.

Furthermore, the application of these tiered tariffs may pose challenges for consumers in coastal provinces. If their consumption surpasses the set limits, they too could be subjected to the more expensive pricing. The upcoming winter season will be a critical test for the new tariff system, potentially impacting a much larger segment of the population than initially anticipated.

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Consumption limits being exceeded in these sites will cause subscribers to switch to the Kademe-2 tariff, where a higher fee is applied.