Moldovagaz says the request to increase the natural gas charges for end-users was made following the rise in the projected average import price of gas, which is by 11.7% higher from January 1, 2011 (US$293.80 per 1,000 cubic meters), Info-Prim Neo reports. In a communiqué, the gas supplier says that the price adjustment period for Moldova set in the contract with Russia’s gas giant Gazprom expired on December 31, 2011. Moldova switched to the price formation mechanism used by Gazprom for the European countries. According to SA Moldovagaz, the prices for Ukraine and Belarus are lower - US$265 and, respectively, US$230 per 1,000 cubic meters – owing to the reductions obtained according to another principles and conditions. The purchase price for Romania is higher than for Moldova –about US$360 per 1,000 cubic meters. Moldovagaz requested the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) to approve the average charge for end-users at 4,636 lei per 1,000 cubic meters. The rise is 13.1% compared with the current charge of 4,098 lei per 1,000 cubic meters set by the Agency on May 18, 2010. The power supplier also demands raising the tariff on the gas distribution services by 44.3 lei, to 628.03 lei per 1,000 cubic meters, while the tariff on the gas transportation services – by 3.5 lei, to 27.13 lei per 1,000 cubic meters. The ANRE is expected to convene on January 14 to examine Moldovagaz’s request.