Moldovagaz proposes increasing gas tariff by 17.6%
The Moldovagaz Moldo-Russian natural gas supplying enterprise has proposed authorities to increase the gas tariff for consumers by 17.6% - per whole year at once.
During a public hearing in the National Energy Regulatory Agency of Moldova (ANRE) on Tuesday, which was dedicated to the gas tariff reconsideration, Head of the Moldovagaz Administrative Board Alexander Gusev said the average annual price will be US$307.55 per 1 thousand cubic meters of gas in 2011.
"Thus and so, the average tariff must reach 4.819 thousand lei per 1 thousand cubic meters. But it must be reassessed anyway, if prices change by 5%", he said.
At the same time, Gusev said the ANRE did not satisfy the Moldovagaz demands in full till now, and will probably act the same now.
General Director of the ANRE Victor Parlicov said the tariff the enterprise demands will not be adopted.
"A part of expenses will be cut down, there will be found other reserves too. Anyway, the Agency adopts a decision on the energy source price increase for the purpose to cover expenses of the supplier, not proceeding from possibilities of consumers to pay services", he said, adding the ANRE intends to organize other consultations with participation of representatives of CET [power plants] and the Termocom [heat-supplying enterprise]".
The gas rate increase problem will be considered at the Agency session on Friday, where will be made a final decision.
Infotag's dossier: The rate on natural gas was reconsidered in Moldova in May 2010 for the last time, when it was increased by 14.1% - to 4.098 thousand lei per 1 thousand cubic meters (US$328). The price actualization necessity was caused by the gas purchase price growth to US$252 from US$232, and also by grown expenses of Moldovagaz for maintaining and serving its gas supply networks. Gazprom has increased the gas price for Moldova to US$293.8 per 1 thousands cubic meters of gas (taking into account its caloric value), which is 11.7% more than the actual rate (US$262.95).
Infotag
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