R. Pocius: natural gas prices for residents should remain similar in the second half of the year

The chairman of the State Energy Regulatory Council (VERT), Renat Pocius, says that natural gas prices for residents in the second half of this year should remain similar to those in April-June, or the same.

“Since the prices today (in the gas market – BNS) are more or less predicted not to fluctuate very much, we predict that (…) those tariffs that are valid today and set for the second quarter of 2024, they could remain at a similar level and not change,” he told reporters on Friday R. Pocius.

“We see a stabilizing situation in the natural gas market in 2024 and at the beginning of 2025. No more big price swings. At least today, they are not yet forecast,” added the chairman of VERT.

According to him, in 2024 and early 2025, the market price of natural gas is forecast to be around 30 euros per megawatt hour (MWh).

From April, the first group of consumers – residents who consume the least amount of gas (up to 300 cubic meters of gas per year) pay 1.05 euros (including VAT) for gas, the second – those who heat their homes (from 300 to 20 thousand cubic meters) – 59 cents per cubic meter meter.

The energy market regulator plans to approve the same prices for the second half of the year – this should be done by the end of May.

Public electricity tariffs will decrease from July

VERT on Thursday confirmed 8-12 percent for the second half. a lower upper limit of the public electricity price paid by household consumers who have not chosen an independent supplier in the third stage of market liberalization.

After confirming the limits of this price of the public supplier Ignitis, it would decrease by 12.28 percent in medium voltage networks. up to 12.544 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh, with VAT), and in low-voltage networks – 8.37 percent. up to 19.221 cents (including VAT).

“The public price was revised only due to changes in the forecasted market price,” said VERT chairman R. Pocius.

According to him, the regulated part of the price of electricity for consumers will not change from July.

Most of the time, both the upper limit and the price itself coincide, so it is likely that public electricity price tariffs will decrease to 12 percent from July. They are also scheduled to be approved by the end of May.

Since April, the public electricity tariff in medium-voltage networks reaches 14.301 cents (including VAT), and in low-voltage networks – 20.978 cents.

Only household and vulnerable consumers who consume no more than 1 thousand per year can buy electricity at such prices. kWh of electricity.

Currently, there are about 456.7 thousand. consumers of the third stage of market liberalization who did not choose an independent supplier.

The public electricity tariff for consumers is usually set twice a year – from January and July, but in recent years it has been recalculated more often.

At the beginning of May, the government approved amendments that would allow VERT to change the public prices of electricity, natural gas and centrally supplied liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for household consumers more flexibly and more frequently. These amendments will still be considered by the Seimas.