Reduced tariffs on heat implementations in the Abay region announced.
In a refreshing turn of events, authorities in the Abai Region have managed to slash heating tariffs for the locals, our source reveals.
Despite getting over 3.3 billion tenge in state subsidies since 2022, seven heating companies in the region failed to adhere to the law by not Lowering their service prices appropriately.
A thorough investigation by the regional prosecutor's office uncovered this misconduct, leading to a significant reduction in tariffs. The reduction, ranging from 4.5 to 48 percent across the region, will save consumers around 3.3 billion tenge on heating over the next three years.
The prosecutor's office, dedicated to protecting the rights of over 80,000 consumers, including 78,000 individuals, emphasized that monitoring compliance in the natural monopolies sector remains a priority.
In the past, experts have explained why heating and water bills have surged and analyzed monopolists' justification for the tariff hikes. Meanwhile, in Astana, the authorized body in the natural monopolies regulation sector took legal action against heat energy tariffs.
While there is a possibility of increased investments from Chinese firms in the region [4][5], factors influencing local tariffs are not entirely clear. However, nationally, central heating tariffs saw a significant increase of 19% as compared to March 2024[1].
It's worth noting that not every citizen has access to water meters in certain areas, and charging equitable tariffs based on consumption could be a challenge [2]. Some residents have even devised unconventional methods to lower their bills, such as sharing water with neighbors who have meters installed.
Overall, the rollback in heating tariffs offers a much-needed relief for the winter-weary residents of the Abai Region.
Sources:
- Central heating tariffs increased by 19% in Kazakhstan
- Lack of access to water meters: A challenge for equitable water tariffs in Kazakhstan
- Investments from Chinese firm to drive economic growth in Abai Region
- Abai Region part of larger investment projects in Kazakhstan
- The reduction in heating tariffs, safeguarded by the prosecutor's office, will protect over 80,000 consumers, including 78,000 individuals, from excess charges in the Abai Region.
- Furthermore, the investigation exposed seven heating companies' failure to comply with the law in lowering their service prices, resulting in a 3.3 billion tenge subsidy from the state.
- The finance industry might witness a shift as the decrease in tariffs could affect the business models of these heating companies and their profit margins.
- Geolocation data could prove useful in the future to identify similar misconduct across industries, ensuring fair business practices and equitable tariffs for consumers in the Abai Region.
