Moldovan energy regulator says not to allow unjustified rise in tariffs by electricity supplier

16:42 | 13.12.2016 Category: Economic

Chisinau, 13 December /MOLDPRES/ – The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) today stated that it would not permit undue increase in tariffs for distribution and supply of electricity requested by Red Union Fenosa and Gas Natural Fenosa energy supply companies. They demanded tariffs increase by 14 per cent on electricity distribution and its supply starting from 01 January 2017.

The companies increase requests were placed on 12 December 2016 could be found on ANRE’s official website. The electricity law provisions "obliges ANRE to publish on its official application for license on regulated prices and tariffs, as well as calculations on their level," said the regulator’s press release.

As such, public is offered the opportunity to submit recommendations and suggestions on the content requirements of the operators within 15 days of publication. After this period, ANRE will review the calculations and other information required under existing tariff methodology and the Agency Board of Directors will make a decision on regulated prices and tariffs within 180 calendar days from the date of requests registration.

According to draft of public consultations, Gas Natural Fenosa energy supply calls tariff increase for the population by 27 bani, up to 2.19 lei per kilowatt/hour.

The National Energy Regulatory Agency Board decided on 12 March 2016, after debates in public session, an electricity tariff reduction by 11 per cent on supplied by Gas Natural Fenosa energy supply to population. The regulator returned to the tariff adjustment in July 2015 after increased electricity tariffs by 30.37 per cent, which entered into force after an audit by supply companies, on 9 November.

By the decision to decrease tariffs in March 2016, ANRE had not taken into account financial deviations, formed after the currency depreciation. Subsequently the Economy Ministry and Gaz Natural Fenosa signed an agreement according to which the recovery of tariff deviations by Gas Natural Fenosa would start on 01 January 2017 and last four years. Deviations amount adjusted to the interest rate will be about 1.75 billion lei.

(Reporter V. Bercu, editor M. Jantovan)

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