Consumers braced for huge gas price hike

VILNIUS -- Lithuanians will be wondering whether they need to light two rings on their gas cookers or one after the State Prices and Energy Control Commission gave the green light forLietuvos Dujos to increase gas prices for household consumers by69 percent.

The commission approved gas prices for household consumers proposed by LietuvosDujos. Gas prices for residents using up to 800 sq m of gas per year willincrease by 69 pct, to LTL 1.69 (incl. VAT) per sq m of gas.

Prices for residents using 800-20,000 sq mof gas will rise even more steeply, by 75 pct, to LTL 1.33 (incl. VAT) per sq m of gas.

Gas prices for those using more than 20,000 sq m of gas per year will increaseby 76 pct, to LTL 1.32 (incl. VAT).

According to Virgilijus Poderys, chairman of the State Prices and EnergyControl Commission, whether or not gas prices for household consumers will riseso sharply should be clear by the end of the year.