Russian govt decides to leave 2013 monopoly tariffs unchanged, plans revision in 2014
MOSCOW. May 16 (Interfax) - The Russian government at a session on Thursday decided to leave tariffs for natural monopoly services for 2013 unchanged, Deputy Economic Development Minister Andrei Klepach told reporters at a briefing after a Cabinet of Ministers meeting.
At its meeting, the government considered and approved economic development scenarios for 2014-2016, as well as the ceilings on tariff hikes for natural monopoly services.
He said that the decision was made not to make any changes to the previously confirmed plans for this year but, starting in 2014, to possibly make adjustments. The final numbers will be discussed in September.
"The position that is now being discussed at the government is that in 2013 we aren't changing the parameters of tariff growth that were approved by the government earlier. We are proceeding from the assumption that the issue [on tariffs in 2014] will be elaborated and, in all likelihood, the tariff dynamic for 2014 and through to 2016 will be substantially adjusted. It's too early to talk about how. There are various approaches," Klepach said.
Changes to the tariffs for services offered by natural monopolies are being considered as a measure to speed up economic growth. The outlook approved on Thursday is based on the tariff policy adopted last year and foresees quite high growth in gas tariffs in 2013-2015. The entire structure with the rest of the tariffs was built based on that, he said.
"The work [on tariffs for 2014-2015] isn't finished yet. The order has been given, and we see certain approaches and proposals that are connected with slowing down the growth rates of gas tariffs not in 2013, but in 2014 and later," Klepach said.
"But we shouldn't shy away here. There should be certain stable rules by which Gazprom and grid companies would operate so that we don't have to think up new changes every time, every year," he said.
"Certain adjustments should be made, but in such a way that it doesn't bring harm to the investment programs of Gazprom and grid companies and that it generally provides appropriate guidance for the market, for inter-fuel competition and efficient resource use," Klepach said.
These proposals will be synchronized with the compilation of a forecast to be weighed by the government this September, he said.