New Era in Electricity Bills: Effective from January 1 

The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) has published a new regulation on electricity consumption in the Official Gazette. Starting January 1, 2025, subsidies will no longer apply to residential, commercial, and apartment complex consumers exceeding 5,000 kWh annually. However, places such as mosques and AFAD accommodation centers will be exempt from this regulation. 

The latest decision by the EPDK, made in October, has come into effect following its publication in the Official Gazette. According to the regulation, the annual consumption limit for residential subscribers has been set at 5,000 kWh starting January 1, 2025. 

Places excluded from this regulation include mosques, places of worship, associations, and AFAD temporary accommodation centers. The regulation specifies: 

“From February 1, 2025, the consumption limit will be applied as follows: 

– 5,000 kWh annually for public institutions and organizations, local administrations, detached buildings used as residences, apartment complexes, and independent units within such buildings, housing cooperatives, and sites, as well as shared utilities like heating systems, elevators, water pumps, stairway lighting, and caretaker apartments measured separately. 

– 100 million kWh annually for temporary accommodation centers established by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), facilities used for drinking water supply and distribution by village legal entities, and other agricultural consumer groups. 

– 15,000 kWh annually for remaining consumer groups.” 

 Statement from the Ministry 

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar previously discussed the new electricity regulation in Gaziantep. Highlighting the regulation’s aim to promote social justice, Bayraktar said: 

“Citizens in the monthly 417 kWh or annual 5,000 kWh consumption group will pay exactly the cost of electricity used in their homes.” 

 How Many Will Be Affected? 

Minister Bayraktar noted that there are 40 million residential subscribers in Turkey, and added: 

“We are asking just 1.2 million households, which account for only 3% of subscribers, to pay the full cost of electricity. We believe this is a fair approach. These households are deemed capable of covering their electricity costs with their own income. Citizens in the 417 kWh monthly and 5,000 kWh annual consumption group will pay for electricity at cost.” 

 “Hidden Price Hike” Debate 

Following the EPDK’s decision, Prof. Dr. Şenol Babuşcu, Head of International Finance and Banking at Başkent University, criticized the move as a “hidden price hike” on social media. Babuşcu argued: 

“There are approximately 45 million residential electricity subscribers in our country. About 20%, or 10 million subscribers, will be affected by this change.”