Tierra del Fuego gas tariffs rise sharply against basic basket

A report by the Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego (UNTDF) reveals a significant increase in natural gas costs for residents in the Tierra del Fuego region between 2024 and 2026. According to the study conducted by the Observatorio Social, Político y Económico (OSPE), the impact of a representative gas bill on the Total Basic Basket (CBT) rose from 1.74% in April 2024 to 11.13% by April 2026.

The study highlights that the fixed charge component of gas bills saw extreme increases, multiplying by as much as 101 times for certain residential categories during this period. Researchers noted that the weight of gas expenses on the basic basket exceeded the 10% threshold used to define energy poverty.

Factors contributing to this escalation include the deregulation of the wholesale market and recent legislative changes, such as the new Ley de Zona Fría, which reportedly reduced available discounts for many households. The report emphasizes that in subantarctic latitudes, reducing heating is not a viable option for families without risking health and habitability.