Moldovagaz enterprise demands cut in gas tariff for end consumers

Chisinau, 2 February /MOLDPRES/ - Moldovagaz on 1 February demanded that the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) considers the approval of regulated tariffs and prices for gas for 2018. The natural gas provider estimates an 11.4-per cent reduction in the average tariff for end consumers, from 5,545 lei for 1,000 cubic metre down to 4,914.97 lei.  

ANRE has at its disposal 15 working days starting the date of publication of Moldovagaz’ application on 1 February and of the related materials for the presentation of recommendations.  

Contacted by MOLDPRES, an expert of the Viitorul institute, Victor Parlicov, said the figures unveiled by Moldovagaz on the acquisition price of the gas and the exchange rate suggested that a tariff cut of 25 per cent should be made. The calculations presented by the supplier show that decision-makers had taken into account an acquisition price for the Russian gas of 178 dollars (3,155.88 lei) for 1,000 cubic metres, which the supplier forecasts for 2018, against the cost included in the present tariff of 4,194 lei and a currency exchange rate of 17.68 lei for one dollar. An exchange rate of 21 lei for one dollar was taken into consideration when setting the current tariff.     

“Therefore, Moldova is to explain what other costs have increased quickly, so that, in the situation when the acquisition price dropped by 25 per cent and the exchange rate – by 14 per cent, a decrease in the tariff by only 11.4 per cent is demanded,” Parlicov said.  

At a weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that analyses carried out showed that there were premises that the gas tariffs might be decreased by up to 20 per cent. Filip said Moldovagaz had another opinion; yet, the final decision will be taken by the National Energy Regulatory Agency.  

“I have also demanded that those from Moldovagaz think about a system of compensation for the first months of the year, in case the price is going to be cut, so that people benefit from this reduction just the very first days of 2018. I deem it as normal that the citizens pay the new reduced price beginning with 1 January 2018, even if the legal procedures still last; these procedures are to be observed, undoubtedly, yet, in this case, the compensation way should to be found. Either people receive back the money for what they paid in January-February, for instance, or they receive less expensive bills in the next months. Moldovagaz is already to come up with a solution,” the prime minister added.    

The last change of the gas tariff was made on 26 January 2016, when the average tariff for end consumers was approved at 5,545 lei for 1,000 cubic metres of gas, down by 667 lei or 10.9 per cent against the tariff in force at that time. The tariff for the household consumers presently stands at 5,892 lei (without value added tax) for 1,000 cubic metres for a consumption of less 30 cubic metres and 6,138 lei for a consumption of more than 30 cubic metres. The tariff for household consumers is not contained in the demand of Moldovagaz from 1 February 2018.   

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)