Turkey does not anticipate gas, power price hikes in 2017 despite cost increases: Minister

ISTANBUL

AA photo

Turkey does not anticipate electricity and gas price hikes in 2017 despite recent cost increases, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak said on Jan. 6, adding that Iranian gas flows were continuing but below full capacity after a technical problem occurred in December.In an interview with private broadcaster A Haber, Albayrak said Turkey had taken necessary steps in the last two days to increase security around critical power and natural gas infrastructures after recent power cuts.“We have seen a rise in both gas and oil costs in recent months. Besides that, the authorities making their sales based on the Turkish Lira have faced extra increases in their costs due to hikes in foreign exchange rates. In spite of these factors, we do not foresee any hikes in electricity or gas prices in 2017,” he said.Albayrak confirmed that gas flows from Iran were continuing, but in smaller amounts, after a cut in December due to technical problems.Asked about a question regarding recent power cuts mainly in the industrial production hubs of Turkey, including Istanbul, he said that there were no big problems posed.“There are no serious problems with the main electricity transmission lines delivered to Istanbul... Some four of the damaged seven main lines are online now,” he added.Albayrak, however, said that underground cables were cut on Dec. 31.“We have launched the judicial process about this by contacting the prosecutor’s office,” he added.Although authorities announced there would not be further power cuts, electricity blackouts carried on in Istanbul on Jan. 2 and 3.Bedaş, which is responsible for distributing electricity to the European side of Istanbul, said on Jan. 5 that some 1,300 employees would be on duty to prevent blackouts over the weekend, when heavy snowfall is expected.Meanwhile, the Organized Industrial Zone in the Marmara province of Kocaeli was also affected by power outages. A number of factories and workplaces suspended their works in the province’s Gebze and Dilovası districts on Jan. 2, and sent their employees home, Doğan News Agency has reported.The Turkish Automotive Parts Industry Association (TAYSAD) announced that the country’s automotive industry had incurred losses worth almost 300 million euros due to the latest power outages.