The average final tariff of natural gas for end-users will be by almost 11% lower. The Administration Board of the National Agency for Energy Regulation approved a decision on January 26. The new natural gas tariffs take effect on February 1, IPN reports.

According to a press release of the Agency, the diminution of the natural gas tariffs was determined by two main factors – the reduction in the purchase price of the natural gas imported from Russia and the amendment of the Law on Natural Gas and of the methodology of calculating and applying the regulated natural gas tariffs, with the Agency being authorized to fully regulate the activity of the transport network operator.

Thus, the average final tariff of the natural gas supplied by SA “Moldovagaz” was decreased by 10.9% – from 6 222 lei/1 000 m3 set last November to 5 545 lei/1 000 m3, a decrease of 677 lei. Thus, the household users who consume less than 30 m3 inclusive a month, at one apartment or house, will pay 5 892 lei/1 000 m3 (-10.1%), while the household users who consume more than 30 m3 – 6,138 lei/1 000 m3 (-10.1%).

The tariff for the natural gas distribution service was set at 1 030 lei/1 000 m3, while the tariff for the natural gas supply service was reduced to 70.74 lei/1 000 m3 (- 7.2%). The tariff for the natural gas transportation service was decreased by 89.9% - from 324.75 lei/1 000 m3 to 32.76 lei/1 000 m3.

The revenues earned from transporting natural gas through Moldova’s territory were included in the formula for calculating the natural gas tariffs. This offsets the costs incurred for transporting gas through the country and has a reduced impact on the natural gas supply tariffs for end-users. The new tariffs were set taking into account the estimated purchase price of gas for 2016, which is US$199.72 per 1 000 m3 (- US$60.57/1 000 m3).