Minister of Energy admits that gas tariffs could decrease in cold season

Chisinau, August 16 /MOLDPRES/- Natural gas rates could drop in the cold season. Minister of Energy Victor Parlicov made the statement, saying that the current procurement price of natural gas could provide the necessary premises for the review of tariffs for consumers.

"We expect this year to be easier than the previous year in all respects. For the next season, we expect much lower gas and electricity prices than what we had in the previous period," said Victor Parlicov on a television show.

According to the minister, until now, the Republic of Moldova has procured over 400 million cubic meters of gas. "I think we can still buy gas for about $400. If for the existing 400 million cubic meters, we buy another 400 million at this price, we will manage to lower the average price to the level of around 500 dollars. What would give an opportunity for the revision of tariffs. I don't want to promise this, because it doesn't depend only on us", said the official.

Victor Parlicov avoided coming up with certain estimates regarding future tariffs, stating that this is the responsibility of the National Agency for Energy Regulation. 

The official assured that citizens will also benefit from energy compensation this year, but their amount could be changed.

Household consumers currently pay a rate of 18.06 lei for a cubic meter of gas.