Moldovan Agency for Energy Regulation to decide on new electricity, gas tariffs

Chisinau, 30 September /MOLDPRES/ - The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) will take a decision on the tariffs for electricity and gas after suppliers will present the reports of the external audit, ANRE Director Sergiu Ciobanu said during hearings at the Parliamentary Committee for Economy, Budget and Finance today.

"Depending on the outcome of the audit, ANRE will decide whether or not it would maintain its decision to increase the tariffs. We have a month or so before the term ends. The reports must be submitted in two weeks and then we have 20 days to discuss till the deadline for the suspension of tariffs expires", the head of the agency for energy regulation explained.

"The agency will comply with the conclusions of the auditors", Sergiu Ciobanu said. He added that "an audit will show exactly what tariffs should be imposed, which are the financial deviations and what remains to be done subsequently."

On 3 September, the ANRE Administrative Board decided to suspend its decisions of 18 July 2015 on approving the regulated tariffs for distribution and supply of electricity and natural gas for a period of 60 days. On 18 July the electricity tariffs were increased by 30-37 per cent and natural gas prices went up by 15.4 per cent.

Electricity and gas supply networks operators were advised to organise, within that period, an audit, with the selection of world-renowned companies in the field, within which the new tariffs of the operators and the accuracy of these calculations be verified. All operators of electricity networks and gas companies selected top audit companies to verify the new tariffs calculated by operators and their accuracy.

(Reporter V. Bercu, Editor L. Alcaza)