SA “Moldovagaz” asked for a new increase in natural gas rates. The company requested the National Agency for Energy Regulation to approve a rate of 23.57 lei without VAT for one cubic meter of natural gas, IPN reports.

According to the supplier, the regulated prices need to be adjusted now that the import price of the purchased natural gas increased significantly and because essential negative tariff deviations accumulated. Also, the March 4, 2022 decision by the Commission for Exceptional Situations needs to be implemented.

“Moldovagaz” said the regulated prices approved on June 1 generate losses due to the difference between the VAT on the import of natural gas and the money collected from consumers. “It should be noted that owing to the lack of sufficient funds. SA “Moldovagaz” accumulated debts to the state budget. On June 20, 2022, the debt for April-May related to the payment of VAT on the import of natural gas was 117.0 million lei,” said the company.

Since June, the natural gas rate for end users has grown to 18.61 lei per cubic meter of gas with VAT included after the National Agency for Energy Regulation partially accepted the request to increase the rates.