The National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) initiated the control of the Apă-Canal Chișinău activity for 2020-2022.
This was stated by the energy regulator in its commentary on the blackout of electricity in some consumption points of Apă-Canal Chișinău by Premier Energy. In the context of recent public statements regarding the financial and economic situation and risks in the activity of Apă-Canal Chișinău, ANRE made several clarifications. As noted, recently, in strict compliance with the legislation in force - the Law on public water supply and sanitation services, Tariff Methodology, etc., ANRE's Decision of January 11, 2023 approved the tariffs for supply/provision of public water supply, wastewater treatment and sewage services to Apă-Canal Chișinău, which entered into force on January 13. According to ANRE, these tariffs cover all the operator's operating expenses resulting from the volume of technological consumption and water losses in the network, adopted for tariff purposes, and, therefore, the expenses for consumed electricity, taking into account the new price for electricity. Thus, the expenses for consumption of electric power in the total amount of 208.8 million lei were included in the calculation of the tariff, which would have enabled the operator to pay 17.4 million lei per month for the consumption of electric power. Regarding the debts incurred by Apă-Canal Chișinău for electricity consumption as of January 1, 2023, the energy regulator notes that the previous tariff approved on May 19, 2017 for Apă-Canal Chișinău included electricity expenses of 134.3 million lei. Later, in 2019-2021, Apă-Canal Chișinău did not apply for tariff changes for the supply/performance of water and sewage utilities. However, with the gradual decrease in the mentioned period of regulated electricity prices, there were positive deviations (revenues) on the tariffs for water supply and wastewater services provided. Thus, as of January 1, 2023, the additional income of Apă-Canal Chișinău only due to savings from consumed electricity amounted to about 42.5 million lei. In conclusion, ANRE notes that both the former tariffs for supply/provision of public water and wastewater services by Apă-Canal Chișinău and the recently approved tariffs in force included all necessary expenses for electricity consumption. Any statements of public persons about the delay in approving the tariffs or their approval at an insufficient level are absolutely inconsistent and manipulative. The energy regulator said it encourages both the administration of Apă-Canal Chișinău and its founder to focus its efforts on improving its financial and economic management, eliminating its debts to its creditors and, in this case, on finding joint mutually acceptable solutions with Premier Energy on the amount and timing for the repayment of debts for the consumed electricity. "At the same time, in order to verify the correct application of the provisions of the regulations in force in the company's activity, ANRE initiated the control of Apă-Canal Chișinău SA activities for 2020-2022," the energy regulator said in a statement. //27.01.2023 - InfoMarket.
