İGDAŞ takes EPDK's natural gas price cut decision to court

İGDAŞ, the organization responsible for natural gas distribution under the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, has taken the Energy Market Regulatory Authority's (EPDK) decision to reduce natural gas prices in Istanbul by 12.13% to the judiciary.

At the end of 2022, the EPDK had determined system usage fees for all regions and had implemented a 56.8% reduction in İGDAŞ's system usage fee.

As a result of this decision, a 12.13% reduction in natural gas prices in Istanbul was implemented, effective from January 1, 2023.

When calculated across 5.7 million subscribers, this amounted to 7.7 billion liras.

LABOR COSTS CITED AS REASON

In İGDAŞ's petition, labor costs, which are influential in the calculation of system usage fees, were cited as a reason, and it was noted that their own workers are unionized.

It was argued that "it is not appropriate to determine labor expenses by comparing them with other natural gas distribution companies."

In the EPDK's defense petition, it was noted that it is not legal to increase tariffs by citing the fact that İGDAŞ employees are union members or by referencing provisions in collective bargaining agreements.

It was stated that every convenience is provided to ensure that distribution services are not interrupted due to the number of subscribers İGDAŞ has. The reduction decision was stated to be legal.

Now, the decision to be made by the court is awaited.