Argentina gas tariffs may rise up to 19% due to regime changes

National Senator María Belén Monte de Oca has defended upcoming changes to the 'Zona Fría' (Cold Zone) gas subsidy regime, warning that users could see gas bill increases between 15% and 19% starting in January.

While Monte de Oca emphasized that Tierra del Fuego and the Patagonia region will retain their subsidies, she noted that the removal of subsidies for gas distribution and transport components could drive up costs. For example, an average bill of $85,000 could rise to approximately $100,000. The final impact remains subject to upcoming regulations.

The senator attributed the need for reform to the financial instability of the current fund. She noted that following a 2021 expansion that included temperate zones, the number of beneficiaries grew from approximately 950,000 households to nearly four million people, threatening the system's sustainability. The reorganization aims to concentrate resources on those most in need and prevent further deficits.