Chisinau consumers to pay by eight per cent more for thermal energy

Chisinau, 16 September /MOLDPRES/ - The administrative board of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) today approved a 78.2-per cent increase of the average tariff for thermal energy provided by Termoelectrica to consumers. The latter will pay 1,068 lei (without VAT) for one Gcal, - up by 81 lei against the previous rate.     

Under ANRE’s decision, the new rates will enter into force on 1 October 2016. The National Energy Regulatory Authority considered the calculation and materials presented by the enterprise, “relying on the principle of covering the minimum needed and justified consumption and spending for a normal carrying out of the regulatory activity, with an efficient use of production capacities.” The Agency took into account the overall regulated costs lower than the ones invoked by Termoelectrica, also, lower operational and supply costs, accepted less losses than the ones demanded by the thermal energy provider.

Termoelectrica demanded a 27.4-per cent increase in the tariff for thermal energy supplied to consumers, up to 1,257.38 lei /Gcal. The last adjusting of tariffs for delivery of heating was made in October 2011, when a tariff of 987 lei for one Gcal was set.  

Representatives of the biggest thermal energy provider said the enterprise was going through an unprecedented crisis, and the historical debts amounted to about 2.6 billion lei. The increase in the heating tariff by 3.5 times less than demanded by the Termoelectrica might create a crisis situation at the enterprise in the next months, when it will not be able to pay the bills for gas consumption, Termoelectrica director Veaceslav Eni told a public meeting held by ANRE today.  

Eni added that the increase in tariffs was a condition set by the World Bank to be able to sign an agreement.  

Termoelectrica was set up in June 2015, following the process of re-organisation of three earlier existing entities: Termocom, thermal electric power station 1(CET-1) and thermal electric power station 2 (CET-2).   

The last adjusting of the tariffs for thermal energy supply was operated in October 2011, when a rate of 987 lei for one Gcal was established.  

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor M. Jantovan)