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Heating costs to rise 7.8 pct in Vilnius (3)

2009-11-24 10:47
by Alfa.lt staff | Alfa.lt

The price of heating in Vilnius is set to rise 7.8 percent next month. The rate per kWh will be pegged at 19.04 centas, up from 17.66 centas in October and November.

The new rate goes into effect on December 1.

An official for Vilniaus Energija, which runs the city's heating concession, blamed a spike in natural gas prices for the rise.

"Prices for natural gas, the principal fuel used in energy production, are rising in step with oil prices. This has had an impact on the variable component of the heating price," said Rimantas Germanas.

Germanas added that Vilnius is overdependent on imported fuel. He suggested that building a biofuel plant that would burn local refuse might be a way of lessening the city's dependence on natural gas imports.