Foreign experts to consider external audit reports on calculation of new rates unveiled by Moldovan companies

Chisinau, 2 November /MOLDPRES/ - Two experts in energy sector from the Swedish consultancy company SWECO will consider external audit reports on the calculation of new tariffs for electric energy and gas, unveiled by companies from the area at the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE).

The assistance  programme, carried out with the support of Sweden, will be provided on 2-13 November. Also, methodologies of calculating the rates in line the best practices of regulation will be assessed.  

At the end of the visit, the Swedish experts will present their conclusions and recommendations on the external audit reports, methodologies of calculating and establishing the tariffs, as well as on the present situation in Moldova's energy sector.   

The ANRE Administrative Board extended the term of suspension of the electric energy tariffs, which expired on 1 November, till 8 November 2015, and of the gas tariffs - till 15 November 2015. Thus, the electricity and gas bills will be calculated based on the old tariffs, valid till 31 July 2015. 

The Board adopted the concerned decision at requests by holders of licences from the energy sector, to complete external audit reports on calculation of tariffs and the need to hear these reports at public debates. 

At a meeting on 18 July, the electricity rates for end consumers were increased by 30-37 per cent and the ones for gas - by 15.6 per cent. 

The mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on a 22 September - 6 October visit to Moldova, recommended that "the adjusted tariffs for electric energy, gas and thermal energy should be in force till the beginning of the cold season." It is important that the tariffs' adjusting be accompanied by a well-directed social assistance, to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population, the IMF mission added. 

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor A. Raileanu)