Moldovan energy regulator approves gas tariff of 15.18 lei for end consumers

Chisinau, 28 January /MOLDPRES/ - The members of the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE), at a today’s meeting, approved the final tariff for natural gas for the household consumers.   

The increased tariffs for natural gas will be enforced as of 1 January. Under the decision, unanimously voted by the members of the ANRE Administrative Board, starting from next February, the citizens will pay a tariff of 15.18 lei (with value added tax included) for one cubic metre of natural gas. This tariff is by 4.18 lei higher against the one paid for the consumption from last November and December.    

„The principal factor which triggered the need to revise the tariffs is the significant increase in the purchasing prices. This decision is in strict compliance with the legislation and will allow to fully cover the acquisition price and in this way, the fulfillment of the contractual conditions of payment to the natural gas supplier will be ensured,’’ a representative of the Moldovagaz stock company said at the meeting.

At the same time, the Infrastructure and Regional Development Ministry said that the ‘’tariff for natural gas supplied to household consumers in February and March remains unchanged for the first 150 cubic metres consumed, no matter the decisions by the National Energy regulatory Agency.’’     

A decision to this effect was made also by Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita at a cabinet meeting on 26 January. „No matter the decision due to be taken by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) on the demand by MoldovaGaz, either it accepts the price proposed by the company, or approves a lower increase of price, the tariff for the first 150 cubic metres consumed will not change for the household consumers. We will keep the mechanism in which the first 50 cubic metres will cost 6.8 lei and the next 100 cubic metres, up to 150, will cost 7.9 lei,’’ Gavrilita said.

Moreover, the government will come up with programmes of compensations also for certain economic agents – the cabinet will back the gas consuming enterprises which produce essential goods – bread, milk, other food products and the small and medium-sized companies which consume natural gas. ‘’We take into account also the programmes which might lead to the enhancement of the purchasing power of some categories of employees and vulnerable families,’’ the prime minister also said.   

Photo: dnews.dn.ua