City water and heat suppliers demanded to transfer the ability to set prices to national energetic authorities

Chisinau’s water and heat suppliers demand to transfer the ability to decide prices to the National Agency of Energy Regulation (ANRE). According to the economic director of JSC “Termocom”, Vitalie Morii, the prices for the city’s heating agent are same for 7 years already, and have come to cover only 45% from the actual cost. The quoted source is aware that the population cannot handle the actual prices for the service. Mr. Morii states that the situation will be solved if the authorities will grant partial compensation, just like in the case of the subventions for natural gases. The source also informed Info-Prim Neo that the company is in a severe condition. Because of the consumer debts and the inflation over the past few years, the debts of the company towards its creditors are not repaid. The situation got worse when the prices for natural gas went up. At present, the Chisinau Municipal Council is responsible for the prices of the heat supplies. “Termocom” administration has requested the Legislative to hand over the responsibility to the national authorities in energetic, implying that ANRE handles the prices for the power and heating plants. According to Vitalie Morii, the deputies have granted the request of “Termocom”, and the legislation will be modified in the autumn Parliament session. When this is done, “Termocom” will request ANRE to reconsider the prices for the city’s heating. According to the commercial director of “Termocom”, Mihai Arusoi, The debts of the consumers towards the company have come to MDL 426 mln, of which 368.2 mln account for the domestic consumers. The water supplier of the capital, JSC “Apa-Canal Chisinau”, has announced that it will also request amendments in order to be under the ANRE jurisdiction. The prices for water supplies and sewerage of the city of Chisinau have been fixed for 5 years and are the lowest from R. Moldova.