The natural gas tariff for Moldovagaz household consumers has increased by 27.5% - up to 16.74 lei per cubic meter, including VAT
This decision was adopted today by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (NAER). In particular, NAER increased the tariff for natural gas at the exit points of low-pressure natural gas distribution networks, to which all household and part of non-household consumers are connected, by 27.5% - from 12,154 to 15,502 lei per 1,000 cubic meters, VAT excluded. Thus, Moldovagaz household consumers will pay 15.5 lei per cubic meter of natural gas excluding VAT (16.74 lei including 8% VAT). The tariffs will come into force on December 1, 2024. It should be noted that Moldovagaz asked NAER to increase the gas tariff for household consumers by 33.1% - from 12,154 to 16,173 lei per 1,000 cubic meters excluding VAT (17.47 lei per cubic meter including VAT). Moldovagaz named the following main factors that determined the need to revise the tariffs for the supply of natural gas: the increase in the cost of purchasing natural gas in the fourth quarter of 2024 on regional and international platforms by 31.3%, compared to the forecast indicators included in the current tariff of May 3, 2024; the increase in the cost of natural gas transportation services by 21.6%, due to the increase in the tariff for natural gas transportation by 47.7% from August 29, 2024; the increase in the cost of distribution services by 1.8%, due to the increase in natural gas distribution volumes; the increase in the cost of natural gas supply by 2.6%, due to the revision of the amount of contributions for the formation of natural gas reserves, in accordance with the NAER Decision of April 16, 2024, taking into account the increase in natural gas supply volumes; the inclusion of negative tariff deviations in the amount of 217 million lei. As noted by NAER, in recent months, there has been an accelerated price increase on international natural gas markets, especially in November 2024, when FTT quotations increased by more than 25%. The completion of the procurement process for 2024 by Moldovagaz confirmed the average annual purchase price, significantly exceeding that included in current prices. This required an urgent adjustment of the regulated prices in order to reflect the real acquisition costs and ensure the financial viability of the public service provider. NAER emphasized that the delay in the price adjustment would inevitably lead to the accumulation of large financial losses for the service provider, which could affect its ability to fulfill its contractual obligations. During the critical winter months, this risk could jeopardize the security of gas supply. Therefore, NAER approved new regulated prices (excluding VAT), applied depending on the supply points: Entry into gas transmission networks - 11,011 lei/1000 m3; Exit from gas transmission networks - 11,101 lei/1000 m3; Exit from high-pressure natural gas distribution networks - 11,220 lei/1000 m3; Exit from medium-pressure natural gas distribution networks - 12,267 lei/1000 m3; Exit from low-pressure natural gas distribution networks - 15,502 lei/1000 m3. The adjusted prices will come into force on December 1. NAER notes that in the event of situations that may affect the security of gas supply, general economic interests or the legitimate interests of end consumers or gas market participants, or in the event of a significant change in the purchase price of natural gas, the agency may prepare and make decisions on an emergency basis, without observing the requirements for transparency of the decision-making process provided for by the Administrative Code. NAER states that it fulfills its legal obligations with the utmost care and that all decisions taken are based on reliable data and analysis in order to protect public interests and ensure the continuity of gas supplies in a safe and fair manner. // 29.11.2024 - InfoMarket
