Moldovagaz will propose the application of different gas tariffs in Moldova in summer and cold periods and increase the summer tariff to 21 lei per 1 cubic meter.
Chairman of Moldovagaz Board Vadim Ceban said this on RTR-Moldova TV channel, noting that the introduction of double tariffs during the year "summer-winter" will reduce the economic burden on the population caused by rising gas prices. The Moldovagas head informed that the present price of natural gas for final consumers was calculated based on an average purchase price of $620.1 per 1,000 cu. m., while the purchase price of natural gas for Moldovagas in April amounted to $1193 per 1,000 cu. m. and the expected price for May - $910 per 1,000 cu. m. And besides the purchase price there are other components in the tariff structure: transportation, distribution, supply, etc. And by all logic of applying the tariff methodology, Moldovagaz has to ask for a tariff increase. "We did not do it in March and we did not do it in April, because we did not want there to be a big financial burden on our consumers, because after all, there is still a large consumption in March. In April, we come out of the winter period directly, but in May, June, July, gas consumption decreases because no one uses gas for heating, they use it only for gas stoves and to heat water in boilers and boilers. That is why we deliberately did not submit an application to ANRE to increase the tariff, especially as there had been a problem with gas supplies since May 1 and we did not know what would happen to the contract, that is, whether or not Gazprom would exercise its right to terminate the gas contract with Moldovagaz. So now, if we act according to the law, we have a prescription of the Commission of Emergency Situations, and we have to apply for a tariff increase, and we proposed a way of doing this, so that the burden on the consumer is not significant, it can be done if we apply a double tariff during the year in the summer and winter period," said Vadim Ceban. "That is, according to our proposal, there should be a spring-summer tariff, which should be slightly higher, but we know that gas consumption in this period is less, and there will not be a large burden on consumers. For example, if now the gas tariff exceeds 15 lei per 1 cubic meter, today, taking into account the increase of the purchasing price, we should have a gas tariff for consumers at 21 lei per 1 cubic meter in the period when gas consumption is less. But from October 1, when the heating season begins directly, in the fourth quarter, where we have prices changing under the contract, and in the formula for calculating the price the proportion of binding to the oil basket will be much higher than the reference to stock quotes, respectively, the purchase price will be less, and we can return to the gas tariff of, for example, 15-16 lei per 1 cubic meter. That is, it is about the same tariff that we have now. It is our proposal; it is the principle of how we should act, because today the main problem is the payment for the supply of gas volumes that we receive, including during the summer months, because no one in the contract has canceled our obligation to pay for gas until the 20th day of each month. This is roughly our vision," said the head of Moldovagaz. According to him, we have to say openly that the company has no other choice but to raise the tariffs or receive a subsidy from the state. At the same time, he expressed confidence that in our situation it is unreal to count on a subsidy. "We have informed the relevant ministry, we have informed the Commission of Emergency Situations, and this week we will provide the necessary information to ANRE. At this point it will be a submission of information. If we have a coordinated position, we will act in line with the law and the methodology, respectively, and will propose a dual tariff for winter and summer," the Moldovan gas minister said. // 16.05.2022 – InfoMarket
