NAER will request and analyze additional information from Moldovagaz to revise gas tariffs for end consumers.
As noted in the message of the energy regulator, due to the increased interest of the population and the discussions that have arisen in the public space about the existence of prerequisites for reducing regulated prices for the supply of natural gas for end consumers, the National Agency for Energy Regulation informs that the price for the supply of natural gas is determined in accordance with The methodology for calculating, approving and applying regulated prices for the supply of natural gas, approved by the Resolution of the Administrative Council of NAER dated August 13, 2021. At the same time, regulated prices for the supply of natural gas to end consumers consist of the following components: the weighted average annual price of natural gas purchases from external suppliers; the cost of natural gas transportation services; the cost of natural gas distribution services; supplier's regulated expenses related to the natural gas supply service; regulated supplier profitability. According to NAER, given the upward dynamics of purchase prices for natural gas in 2021-2022, their share is of decisive importance in the final structure of regulated prices. Thus, analyzing the structure of the regulated price of natural gas supply, NAER notes that the purchase price of natural gas, included in the current price structure for the supply of natural gas (effective from October 1, 2022), is $926.94 per 1 thousand cubic meters, and the estimated price for the current purchase of natural gas in 2023, according to the monthly indices published by the TTF trading platform, as well as the structure of purchases from Gazprom and Energocom, is $951 per 1 thousand cubic meters. Herewith, the purchase price from Gazprom for January is preliminary, and is set at $1,230 per 1,000 cubic meters, which was largely influenced by the change in the component of the oil mixture. In accordance with the contract for the sale of natural gas between Gazprom and Moldovagaz, the base oil mixture is updated annually based on Gazprom's average export prices for the last 9 months of the previous year. Currently, Gazprom has released preliminary data, and will present the final price after the end of accounting for 2022. In this regard, NAER has notified Moldovagaz to request and submit an audit report from Gazprom, which establishes the basis for this price component for 2023. NAER indicates that the purchase price of natural gas by Moldovagaz from Energocom in December 2022 amounted to $1,094.44 per 1,000 cubic meters. At the moment, the final price for January and February is unknown, as Energocom continues to buy gas on the market at current prices. The Energy Regulator indicates that current exchange prices affect the reference indices of the TTF trading platform for the next months of 2023 (Front Month Index), as a result of which the impact of the current fall on the exchanges is already taken into account by the agency when calculating the estimated average annual price. The agency also notes that when adjusting regulated prices for the supply of natural gas for 2023, according to the methodology, the adjustment of other structural components, such as the tariff for the natural gas transportation service, for the distribution service, costs associated with supply activities, as well as macroeconomic indicators updated to the 2023 forecast. NAER stated that it will continue to closely monitor developments in the natural gas sector and, in the event of favorable conditions for reducing regulated prices, will take all necessary actions in accordance with the provisions of the current regulatory framework.//27.01.2023 — InfoMarket.
