The Government on Wednesday approved a decision raising the amount compensations for gas and power consumption, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Minister of Economy and Trade Igor Dodon, over 270,000 consumers will benefit from increased compensations for electricity, of whom 144,000 are rural residents. 150,000 people will benefit from increased compensations for gas, the majority of whom are from villages, the minister said. The amount of compensations paid to rural residents for power consumption in a 60kV range was increased by 30%. Compensations rose by 70% for those who use more than 100kV. In urban areas, compensations have been raised by 7% and 30% for consumptions of 60kV and 100kV, respectively. Igor Dodon specified that there are two categories of compensations for power consumption: of 50% and 25% of the level of raised tariffs for 13 consumer categories established by law. As for gas consumption, compensations for using up to 30 cubic meters will rise by 10%. Compensations will be by 8% higher for the users of gas ranges and by 23% for those using gas to heat their homes. 23 million lei will be allocated this year in compensations. The National Agency for Energy Regulation on January 18 increased gas charges by 10.3% in average. For domestic consumers with a monthly consumption up to 30 m3 the new charge is 2,666 lei/1000 m3 (previously – 2,406 lei); for domestic consumers with a monthly consumption over 30 m3 and for other consumer categories – 3,161 lei/1000 m3 (as against 3,022 lei). As of the same day, RED Union Fenosa applies a new tariff of 98 bani/kWh (as against 96 bani/kWh). RED Nord and RED Nord-Vest apply a tariff of 108 bani/kWh (as opposed to 101 bani/kWh charged previously).