Moldovagaz suggests increasing the price of gas for consumers by 40%

CHISINAU. Nov 27 (Interfax) - JSC Moldovagaz has sent a request to the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) to increase the price of natural gas to end consumers by 39.7% up to 14,000 lei per one thousand cubic meters, Moldovagaz CEO Vadim Ceban said.

"The main factors that determined the need to revise tariffs for the supply of natural gas are 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, and an increase in the cost of natural gas transportation services by 21.6%, as well as in connection with the increase in the tariff for natural gas transportation by 47.7% as of August 29, 2024," Ceban wrote on social media.

Ceban also said that there was an increase in the cost of distribution services by 1.8% owing to growth in natural gas distribution volumes and the cost of natural gas supply by 2.6% owing to the revision of the amount of contributions for the formation of natural gas reserves.

ANRE announced on Wednesday that it had decided to postpone the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, at which it was planned to consider Moldovagaz's request to increase the gas tariff. ANRE said that it needs more time to study the request and make a decision. A new meeting was scheduled for November 29.

"The draft tariff for the supply of natural gas to end consumers at regulated prices for 2024 has been formed in strict accordance with the legislation and will cover the cost of gas purchase, which will ensure the fulfillment of contractual payment obligations to suppliers," Ceban said.

The official exchange rate as on November 27, 2024, is 18.29 lei/$1.