Moldovagaz asked the authorities to increase average gas tariffs by 31.5%

CHISINAU, Sep 19 – PRIME. Moldovagaz is asking the Moldovan authorities to increase average gas prices by 31.5% in order to be able to pay Gazprom for supplies, the company’s director Vadim Cheban said on Monday.

Earlier, Cheban said that in September the republic buys gas at a price of $1,883 per thousand cubic meters, which is $425 more than in August.

Moldovagaz sent a request to the National Agency for Energy Regulation to increase the average tariff for natural gas by 31.5% – up to 26,675 lei ($1,376 – ed.) per thousand cubic meters … A positive decision of the regulator will allow the company to fully cover the cost of the purchase gas and ensure the fulfillment of contractual obligations to the supplier,” Cheban wrote on his Telegram channel.

He noted that the main factor that necessitated this step was the ongoing significant increase in purchase prices.

Moldova is experiencing an energy crisis due to rising energy prices. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said that the authorities intend to reduce gas consumption in winter by at least 15%. The authorities have developed and submitted for discussion a plan that includes turning off street lighting, lowering the central heating temperature, transferring schoolchildren and students to distance learning. On August 1, the Moldovagaz company began disconnecting consumers who did not pay for the services for the supply of natural gas on time.

In October, the Moldovan authorities agreed with Gazprom to extend the contract for the supply of gas to the republic, subject to an audit of the Moldovagaz debt in 2022. “Gazprom” said that, taking into account the situation in Moldova, it was decided to sign the contract practically on the terms of the Moldovan side, but subject to timely 100% payment of current payments. Gazprom has the opportunity to stop gas supplies to the republic at any time.