The National Bank predicts an increase in gas and heating tariffs for the population

The difficult situation in the energy sector and the state budget will lead to a gradual increase in tariffs in the coming years.

It is noted that uncertainty with the timing and amount of tariff adjustments, primarily energy tariffs, is a separate risk for the inflation forecast.

In particular, a significant increase in the cost of energy carriers in order to quickly eliminate imbalances in the energy sector will be a source of additional inflationary pressure and will lead to the need for a significant increase in subsidies for the population.

On the other hand, a longer postponement of decisions on bringing housing and communal services tariffs in line with economically reasonable levels will lead to a lower inflation rate, but will accumulate quasi-fiscal imbalances and worsen the financial condition of state-owned energy companies.

According to the NBU, this will increase the risks of instability in the energy market, worsen the industry's investment potential, and price pressure will only be postponed for the future.