Turkey hikes electricity, natural gas prices by 9-14 pct

ANKARA

Turkey's energy regulator will raise electricity prices by 14 percent for industrial use and 9 percent for residential use from Sept. 1, according to figures published in the government's Official Gazette overnight.

Natural gas prices have also increased. Similarly, the hike will be 9 percent for houses and 14 percent for industry, Turkey's state pipeline operator Botaş said in a statement on Sept. 1.

The rate hikes, which will further feed double-digit inflation, highlight another impact of Turkey's on-going currency crisis. The lira currency has fallen some 42 percent this year, hitting energy producers hard as Turkey is almost wholly reliant on imports for its energy needs.