Moldovagaz considering option to increase gas tariff

Chisinau, January 11 / MOLDPRES /- Moldovagaz is considering the option to increase the gas tariff. The statement was made today at a press conference by Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spanu, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development. The official said that the government is considering options to support the population in the light of rising prices, and the Committee on Exceptional Situations is due to meet this week.

Spanu said that yesterday he had a discussion with the head of Gazprom Alexei Miller and requested a postponement of at least 10 days in which Moldovagaz to pay the advance for January.

"For January, Moldovagaz has to pay 63 million dollars. There are mechanisms by which Moldovagaz could be helped to pay the advance, such as deferring payments and taxes. Furthermore, we understand that the prices are very high for a good part of the citizens. We do our best to identify alternatives. Moldovagaz needs to find solutions that will allow the current payment of gas. According to the contract, the advance is paid for the previous month and the advance for the current one. According to the information they have, by the end of this week, Moldovagaz will pay in full for gas consumption for December. In addition, by the end of the week, the payment of part of the advance for January will begin ", said the official.

He said that in November the purchase price of gas on the European market was $ 1,104 per thousand cubic meters. At the same time, the Republic of Moldova purchased gas at a price of $ 485, 56% cheaper. In December, the price was $ 450 per thousand cubic meters, 54% cheaper. For January, the market price is $ 1,359 / thousand cubic meters. For the Republic of Moldova, the purchase price of gas will be $ 646 per thousand cubic meters, 52% cheaper than the average stock price.