All our sources report that the next plan to increase tariffs is in the Cabinet of Ministers. It is being developed, and then it should be approved behind the scenes with the Office of the President. Gas, heating, water supply will become more expensive this year. The question remains as to how much.
According to our data, a minimum of 50%, and an average of 80-150%, and the maximum will be raised to the market level - this is an increase of 300-350% by the end of the year.
Despite the current moratorium on raising tariffs for heat, hot water and gas distribution until April 1, 2024, the government of Ukraine and Naftogaz are allegedly considering raising prices.
This was reported by an expert in housing and communal services Oleg Popenko on the air of Yuriy Romanenko. "Just an hour or two ago, I was informed that the Cabinet of Ministers and Naftogaz plan to raise the price of gas and heat. This is absolute news for me personally," Popenko said. According to him, an increase in the cost of heat and hot water by an average of 20% is being discussed, and gas prices may increase by 20-25%. If now consumers pay about 7.96 hryvnias for a cubic meter of gas, then after the increase the price will be about 9.5 hryvnias.
Popenko noted that it is not yet clear whether the increase in tariffs will affect only legal entities, such as water utilities and thermal utilities, or whether the population will also be affected. Various options are being considered, including approving new tariffs for thermal utilities or increasing the cost of gas for them, with the permission of local authorities to raise tariffs.
The expert emphasized that the increase in tariffs has long been discussed by the World Bank and other organizations in order to cover expenses and increase revenues to the budget. Popenko expressed his fear that the increase in prices will lead to an increase in public debt for communal services and may jeopardize the right to own housing in accordance with the "Tretyakova law" for households.
