Turkey Set to Hike Electricity Prices by 25% Starting April 1

Electricity prices in Türkiye are set to rise by 25% as of April 1, following a request from electricity distribution companies grappling with mounting financial pressure, according to reports from Turkish media. The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) is expected to make the official announcement within the week, confirming the new nationwide tariff hike.

This adjustment marks Türkiye’s first electricity price increase since July 2024, despite persistent inflationary pressures and rising costs in the energy sector. The price hike will affect both residential consumers and industrial users, deepening the financial strain already felt by households.

Distribution Companies Push for Relief

Electricity distribution firms reportedly voiced growing concerns about declining profitability and operational sustainability in recent meetings with the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry. The 25% tariff increase is seen as a necessary step to stabilize the sector amid rising input costs and operational expenses.

To ease the burden on consumers, Minister of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar previously announced a ₺230 billion ($6.05 billion) government subsidy for electricity bills in 2025. However, not all households will benefit from this support.

Subsidy Cuts to Hit High-Consumption Households Hardest

A key policy change that took effect on February 1 excludes households using more than 417 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month from receiving subsidies. This means that:

• Bills for high-usage households have already surged by over 93%

• After the April hike, the threshold cost for losing the subsidy will rise from approximately ₺1,050 to ₺1,315

• Users exceeding this threshold will pay double the regular rate

With the 25% increase, this policy remains unchanged—placing greater financial pressure on middle- and upper-consumption households.

Wider Economic Impact Expected

The tariff adjustment also comes at a time when inflation remains a dominant economic concern in Türkiye. Rising utility costs could ripple across sectors, impacting everything from manufacturing to retail pricing, and may further strain consumer purchasing power.

While natural gas prices have remained unchanged in early 2025, electricity rates are now poised to climb significantly—potentially fueling further public discontent amid ongoing economic challenges.