Why Utility Prices Will Rise More in Three Kuzbass Cities
Utility bills are set to rise across several cities in Kemerovo Oblast this autumn.
The indices for utility payments will increase by 26% in Belovo and Kemerovo this autumn, while in the rest of the oblast, the amounts will rise by 14.1%. This applies only to utility services, not rent, explained the Regional Energy Commission of Kuzbass (REC) on social media on Friday, January 23.
Experts reminded that the utility price hike at the beginning of 2026 is not the only change this year. Since January 1, tariffs across all of Russia have increased by 1.7% due to a rise in VAT.
In Kuzbass specifically, the rates will change again on October 1. In most districts, the indices will increase by 14.1%, except for Kemerovo, Belovo, and Novokuznetsk. The REC, which regulates tariffs in the region, emphasized that in these cities, repairs to engineering networks are necessary to provide services stably. The increase was approved by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia (FAS).
In Novokuznetsk, investment programs for heat and water supply and wastewater disposal are in effect.
«It should be noted that the 26% increase applies only to utility services, which include heating, cold and hot water supply, wastewater disposal, electricity supply, gas supply, coal provision, and municipal waste management,» the publication states.
The cost of rent is determined by residents at general meetings and does not depend on REC decisions.
Note that initially, in Novokuznetsk, tariffs were supposed to increase by 21.9%, but deputies insisted on a higher increase to help local resource-supplying organizations implement their investment programs.
