ANRE to approve separate tariffs for electric power supply and distribution

The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) is to approve separate tariffs for the supply of electric power and for its distribution. The draft calculation methodologies were examined in a public meeting of the Agency’s Administration Board, Info-Prim Neo reports. ANRE director general Victor Parlicov said the tariffs will be differentiated depending on the voltage in the power distribution networks to which the consumers are connected. “The new methodologies will ensure greater transparency, will stimulate efficiency and will exclude the possible crossed subsidization practices, while the possibility of recovering the costs incurred by the electricity companies will encourage investments in this sector,” he stated. RED Nord financial director Ghenadie Primac said that the supply in advance of power to consumers poses a great risk to the viability of the state-owned power distribution networks. ”The current regulations should be changed or the new methodologies should provide a certain compensation that would diminish this risk as we have large consumers that accumulate debts and then can go bankrupt,” said Primac. Gaz Natural Fenosa, which owns three power distribution networks, proposed a new formula for reassessing the assets so as to include an additional cost in the tariff for maintaining certain assets. “The given formula is applied in many countries and does not lead to a rise in charges for end-users,” stated the company’s president Silvia Radu. Victor Parlicov said it is very important to reach a consensus with the power distribution companies and consumer associations over the provisions of the draft methodologies because they will be used to calculate the electricity charges for end-users during the next five years.