Moldovan National Agency for Energy Regulation rejects water supplier's request to increase tariffs

Chisinau, 24 July /MOLDPRES/ - The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) rejected the request of Chisinau-based water supplier Apa-Canal to increase the tariff for water supply and sewerage, saying the enterprise’s arguments had no base.

The ANRE press service states that the request for the examination of new tariffs for the public water supply and sewerage was received on 13 July.

The regulatory agency's stand is determined by the provisions of the methodology in force, which stipulate that for the first year of validity of the methodology, basic expenses for the first period of tariff regulation for each type of service covered, is examined, noted and approved by the agency.

ANRE stated that Chisinau-based Apa-Canal Agency shall present their basic expenses, technological consumption, water losses in the public water supply and sewerage systems, as well as other supporting materials. As the operator did not meet these conditions, the regulatory agency informed through an official letter to the Apa-Canal that there was currently no basis for examining and approving new tariffs for the public water supply and sewerage service, as long as the legal framework was not met.

Chisinau-based water supplier Apa-Canal requested ANRE to increase water and sewerage tariffs, from 9.19 to 14 lei. The capital’s water supplier justifies the request by the sharp depreciation of the leu, in the context of the need to pay back more loans to European banks and higher electricity prices.

ANRE has been entrusted with setting water and sewage tariffs after the law on the public service of water supply and sewage entered into force in 2014. Previously, the tariff was approved by the Chisinau Municipal Council.

"You asked for more in order to get less", was Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca's reaction upon finding out about the request to increase the tariff on water and sewage. The mayor warned the administration of the enterprise that they would review their expenses list if they would continue to insist on the tariff increase.

At the end of the previous week, ANRE increased tariffs on electricity supplied by the Gas Natural Fenosa gas and electricity company by approximately 36 per cent, RED Nord and RED Nord-Vest - by about 30 per cent and natural gas tariffs for consumers by 15.4 per cent.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor L. Alcaza)