In Moldova, the tariff for the supply of natural gas to household consumers was increased by 22.6% - from 15.18 to 18.62 lei per 1 cubic meter including VAT.
The corresponding decision was made by the National Agency for Energy Regulation after considering the relevant request of the Moldovagaz company to increase the tariff for the supply of natural gas to end consumers at regulated prices and satisfying it only partially. In particular, the tariff for natural gas at exit points from low-pressure gas distribution networks (for residential consumers) was increased by 22.6% - from 14,060 to 17,244 lei per 1,000 cubic meters (excluding VAT), or from 14.06 to 17.24 lei per 1 cu. m (without VAT). At the same time, taking into account VAT at 8%, it will increase from 15.18 to 18.62 lei per 1 cubic meter. By the decision of NAER, the tariff for natural gas at exit points from medium-pressure gas distribution networks was increased by 25.6% - from 12,450 to 15,633 lei per 1 thousand cubic meters (without VAT), and high pressure - by 26.2% - from 12,132 to 15,315 lei per 1 thousand cubic meters. Herewith, the Moldovagaz company asked to introduce two types of tariffs for the winter and summer periods and to increase the tariff for the supply of gas to household consumers by 58.1% for the current summer season - from 14,060 to 22,229 lei per 1 thousand cubic meters (excluding VAT), or from 14.06 to 22.23 lei per 1 cu. m without VAT, or from 15.18 to 24 lei per 1 cu. m including 8% VAT. The tariff for natural gas at exit points from medium-pressure gas distribution networks, the Moldovagaz company proposed to increase by 65.6% - from 12,450 to 20,618 lei per 1 thousand cubic meters (without VAT), and high pressure - by 67.3% - from 12,132 to 20,294 lei per 1 thousand cubic meters (excluding VAT). Representatives of the NAER Administrative Council stated that there are objective reasons for the growth of gas tariffs due to an increase in its purchase price. Meanwhile, they noted that, according to the current methodology, it is impossible to set separate tariffs for different seasons, and they cannot agree with the hypothesis of an average annual gas price of $941.01 per 1,000 cubic meters, which, according to Moldovagaz, will reflect the situation for the period from April to September, and the methodology provides for the use of the average annual price for the entire year. In this regard, NAER representatives calculated new tariffs taking into account the new average gas purchase price of $696 per 1,000 cubic meters instead of the previous $620.1, and also used the new exchange rate of 18.33 lei for $1 instead of 17.73 for $1 and instead of the rate proposed by Moldovagaz of 18.81 lei for $1. A new forecast for average annual inflation was also taken into account. The new tariffs should come into force on June 1. At the same time, NAER representatives agreed to establish a working group with Moldovagaz to develop a new methodology for calculating the gas tariff and consider a proposal to introduce two seasonal tariffs that would better reflect changes in the cost of gas in summer and winter, according to the formula provided for in the contract and would make it possible to fully cover the cost of gas purchases and, thus, ensure the fulfillment of contractual payment obligations to the supplier. Representatives of Moldovagaz noted that the new tariffs approved now, taking into account the previously accumulated and future negative tariff deviations, will not allow to fully pay for gas to the supplier, and the company has no other resources to pay for current supplies, it cannot be credited in banks. In this regard, they propose to revise the current methodology for determining gas tariffs. As noted, the forecast gas price in June will be $880 per 1,000 cubic meters and in this situation, the company will not be able to fully settle with the supplier, even if it sends all the funds from the sale of gas to consumers at the new tariffs. // 31.05.2022 — InfoMarket
