Natural Gas Prices Increase by 532% According to CHP Member Akay

Nisanur Yıldırım & Dilan Kutlu

(TBMM) – During the discussion of the budget of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission, CHP Karabük Deputy Cevdet Akay stated that the natural gas bill had been increased 17 times from 2018 to this year. Akay emphasized, “When comparing 2018 with today, the natural gas bill has increased by 532%. The rate of increase in bills is also 532%. In terms of tax burden, there has been a 345% increase in taxes on natural gas in six years. While support has been given on one hand, on the other hand, these supports have been withdrawn through increases and taxes.”

Supports Withdrawn from Natural Gas with Increased Taxes

Discussions continue on the 2025 budget of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in the TBMM Planning and Budget Commission. CHP Karabük Deputy Cevdet Akay drew attention to the fact that the supports given to natural gas are withdrawn with the increases and tax hikes. Akay said:

“We see that after the election, BOTAŞ’s 388 billion lira debt is forgiven.”

“There is support in the natural gas and electricity bills, but when we look, we see that the amount of money that comes out of citizens’ pockets with approximately four times more increases and taxes alongside these supports. Serious support is given to BOTAŞ during the election period and BOTAŞ incurs a duty loss. BOTAŞ helps our people, but after the election, we see that a total of 388 billion lira debt is forgiven or offset against tax debt. In 2021 and 2022, around 155 billion liras, and the other in July 2024, around 232 billion liras, a debt of 388 billion liras is forgiven. For BOTAŞ to do its job properly and get rid of duty losses, the billing system must be healthy.”

“17 price hikes on natural gas since 2018, bill increased by 532%.”

When we look at it as an increase, the natural gas bill has been increased 17 times in six years, from 2018 to this year. When we compare 2018 with today, the natural gas bill has increased by 532%. In the six years, there have been 3 increases in 2018, 2 in 2019, 7 in 2021, 4 in 2022, and 1 in 2024, totaling 17 price hikes since 2018, and the rate of increase in bills is also 532%. In terms of tax burden, there has been a 345% increase in taxes on natural gas in six years. While support has been given on one hand, on the other hand, these supports have been withdrawn through increases and taxes. According to Eurostat data, the rate of those who do not have sufficient heating in their homes is 16.4% in European Union countries, while in our country, it is 20.5%.

“Mediating petroleum to Israel creates discomfort in consciences”

Selling the products that go from the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Bora pipeline to Israel, we don’t say ‘we are selling’, there is an operational issue here. It is an agreement made with BOTAŞ International company. We are talking about petroleum going to Israel from pipelines, with around 12 million 916 thousand tons, resulting in approximately 12 billion revenue. We think this is not fair. In this regard, Ms. Özlem Zengin also had a statement in the TBMM General Assembly that about 1.27 dollars of income per barrel was obtained. This issue creates discomfort in consciences, and it must be resolved.

“SSR Mining would pay $403 million more if the same production were to be done in Canada or America”

I will say something about the financial structure of mines, especially about the Çöpler Gold Mine in İliç. The partnership structure is 80% SSR Mining, and 20% Lidya Mining, a company called Anagold, operates. Now, if SSR Mining were to do the same production in Canada or America, in terms of state contribution and tax burden, in terms of effective tax burden, it would pay $403 million more. But by doing this in our country and getting 67% of it in Artvin with 40% of Hot Mining, they can get it for $270 million. They transfer their profits and opportunities abroad through various means of profit transfer. Our national wealth should definitely be managed in a national and local manner in accordance with environmental conditions.”