Whether gas prices for households will rise: “Naftogaz answers
14 March 2024 13:36
ЕКСКЛЮЗИВ
The price of gas for household consumers using Naftogaz services will not increase in the near future. This was exclusively reported by Naftogaz in response to a request from Komersant ukrainskyi 
this was exclusively reported by Naftogaz. However, Naftogaz did not say whether industrial consumers should prepare for an increase in gas bills.
“During the period of martial law in Ukraine and six months after the month in which martial law is terminated or cancelled, the price of natural gas for residential consumers shall not be increased from the price applied in the relations between suppliers and the relevant consumers as of 24 February 2022,”
– naftogaz replied.
Why Naftogaz is not increasing gas prices for households
In the summer of 2022, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed a law on the regulation of natural gas prices during martial law.
According to the law, tariffs for natural gas distribution, heat energy and services for its supply and hot water supply are prohibited from being increased. This is what Naftogaz said in its response to a journalist’s inquiry.
However, the same law also states that gas suppliers have no right to collect debts for non-payment for natural gas.
“This includes including debts in the invoice, filing lawsuits, enforcing debt collection, taking measures to terminate gas supply due to the presence of debts, etc.”
– the document says.
In fact, the moratorium on fines and penalties for late payment, as well as on disconnection from utility services, was introduced almost immediately after the Russian invasion. However, at the end of last year, it was effectively cancelled.
It is an open question whether the ban on price increases for natural gas will be lifted in the same way.
How much does gas cost now
Currently, the price of natural gas for household consumers is UAH 7.96 per cubic metre. Industrial consumers have to pay more: their tariff is UAH 14.58 per cubic metre.
At the same time, some experts suggest that the price of gas for the entire population will increase. This issue was allegedly discussed last year. According to Oleh Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Utilities, the price could increase by one to one and a half hryvnias. If the price of gas rises, the price of heat and hot water will increase. This is because Ukraine needs to get closer to the EU standards, including in terms of utility bills.
“In fact, the European price of gas is about $300… This is not to say that it is a requirement, but if we fully integrate with the European Union, it is inevitable that electricity and gas prices will be equalised. It will be inevitable, we will not be able to do otherwise,”
– says the expert.
