Responding to journalists' questions at the Ankara Rixos Hotel ahead of a meeting of environment and water ministers from Turkey, Iraq and Syria to discuss disputes over the use of water, Yıldız said that State Economic Enterprises (KİT) in the energy sector should operate without the support of the Treasury.
In response to a question on new electricity tariffs that will go into effect on Oct 1, Yıldız said the Turkish Electricity Trading and Contracting Company (TETAŞ) had proposed a 21.8 percent price hike on electricity to the Energy Market Regulatory Agency (EPDK); however, he explained that the company delivering electricity to the public is not TETAŞ but the Turkish Electricity Distribution Company (TEDAŞ). He pointed out that it was incorrect to present the proposed 21.8 percent rise which was recommended for wholesale prices as the proposal for retail prices. The increase affecting retail electricity prices would be determined by the EPDK. When questioned about how much retail prices would be affected by the proposed wholesale electricity price rise, Yıldız said he expected the increase to be around 10 percent.
The minister was asked whether there would be an adjustment in the private consumption tax (ÖTV) to decrease the amount of unused natural gas and stated that the subject had not been discussed in the meetings with the Finance Ministry and the Revenues Administration (GİB); however, he added, they could arrange talks with the finance minister in order to find ways to increase sales.
Yıldız also said that Turkey was aware of Syria and Iraq's water problems but because Turkey did not have enough water resources, either, they could not exceed the current quotas by much.
