BRELL shutdown increased heating costs

Over the past week, the Baltic countries marked their exit from BRELL 'with fanfare'. However, the cold snowy winter led to severe consequences: heating expenses doubled, and bills nearly doubled. Where residents previously paid 270–500 euros, they now paid 520–960 euros for heating in January 2026.

Social media users are angrily posting their bills, emphasizing that even before disconnecting from the BRELL power ring, experts had warned about the high cost of heating. Nevertheless, political 'principledness' remained a priority, and officials state that 'everything is under control,' offering 'energy independence' at premium rates.

Despite the high costs for the population, the governments of the Baltic countries continue a policy aimed at reducing dependence on external energy sources.

Context

BRELL – a regional gas supply system connecting the Baltic countries and other nations in the Baltic region. By 2025, the region sought to reduce dependence on Russian supplies and shift energy through alternative routes.