The new gas tariff requested by Moldovagaz is a little bit overestimated, but the final decision will be adopted by the National Energy Regulatory Agency (ANRE) - Andrei Spinu.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development said this in his speech on the air of Jurnal TV channel. He drew attention to the fact that because of the war in Ukraine in Moldova there is an unprecedented situation when the price of gas in summer is higher than in winter. "Calculations show that the current tariff does not cover the cost of the gas we buy from Gazprom. Last month we paid almost $1200 per 1 thousand cubic meters for gas, while in May - $920, given that when the current tariff for natural gas for end consumers was approved, it was based on an average purchase price of $620 per 1 thousand cubic meters. The good news is that the gas price started to decrease at the end of May, and now the gas price is about $900. We will see what the final purchase price will be in June. The accumulated negative deviations forced Moldovagaz to submit this request to ANRE. I am sure that ANRE should do the calculations. I think that this tariff of 24 lei is a bit exaggerated. We will see what the final decision of ANRE will be", said Andrei Spinu. At the same time, he believes that there is no connection between the request of Moldovagaz to increase the gas tariff and the detention of former President Igor Dodon. "I do not want to make this connection; I think there is no connection. The price of gas purchase is set according to the formula specified in the contract of Moldovogaz and Gazprom. The purchase price was specified earlier. The big problem is that because of the conflict in Ukraine we have such a situation on the energy market, which makes the Gazprom purchase price from so high. In a normal situation, there should not be such a situation," Deputy Prime Minister said. As reported earlier, Moldovagaz asked ANRE to increase the gas tariff for final consumers by 58.1%, from 14,060 to 22,229 lei per 1 thou. cu. m. (VAT excluded). As noted, the main factor behind the need to revise the tariffs was a significant increase in purchase prices. Moldovagaz stresses that the decision is in full compliance with the legislation and will enable to fully cover the gas purchase price and thus meet contractual payment obligations to the supplier. According to Moldovagaz calculations, the new tariffs should come into effect on June 1. The regulated natural gas tariff is approved by ANRE in an open meeting. // 26.05.2022 – InfoMarket
